Rendezvous at the Palaly Air Base

 

We flew together

From  Ratmalana Airport

Though we were uncomfortable with the old Antanove

We spoke about the good old days and the time spent together at school

 

That was wartime

We were uncertain of our lives

We never knew

If a SAM would hit us

 

Two of us went to Jaffna

Straight to the camp

We had some beer at the officer’s mess

Then had to take a rest

Before the operation

 

Near the 53 Brigade

We saluted each other

Then promised to meet

At the Palaly airbase

 

Several weeks passed

We were fighting the enemy

We had no time to rest or sleep

Shells and mortars

Everywhere death and destruction

 

When Multi Barrels fire

The vibration shatters 

Day and night

We lived with shocking sounds

 

After some weeks 

We met each other at the Palaly airbase

But you were in a body bag

I saw your face covered with blood