Swathi Thayaparan

Pearl of the Ocean

Fatigued and red-eyed, we arrive from our long flight,

Onto a familiar island, just by midnight.

From the bustling airport we set out to into the glamorous city,

In its possession a boastful lotus tower so bedazzled and pretty.

But as we reach the narrow gravel roads,

I am able to see through my window,

The serene beauty of a tranquil ocean, enlightened by a pearl cast in the sky,

Its waves retreating and leaving behind a trail of bubbling foam where the shores lie.

I shift my gaze back to the familiar dim lit neighborhood,

Haunted by an unsettling eeriness, as if up to no good.

But among this presence a new feeling starts to form,

An emerging nostalgia that blesses me with warmth.

We reach a house with the paint, a hue as if to be kissed by sunflowers,

As the headlights reveal my Appamma, who seemed to be waiting for hours.

A welcoming door adorned with a golden grace,

As I dash out the van, fully into her embrace.

She leads me into this house, as I’m allured by the rich aroma of spice,

To a table overflowing with colors, an array of curries and rice.

With exquisite crab and fish, fresh off Lanka’s coast.

A culinary delight we cherish the most.

The piquant scent of cinnamon, the heat of chili,

Whispered tales of a land, a home, I wish not to leave.

My Appamma’s secret to this array of dishes is just one flavor,

The unforgettable taste of Sri Lanka, and one that you must savor.

Appamma’s delicious curries, a treasure to behold,

Convey stories of our culture, more precious than gold.

In that moment, sitting at that table, I knew,

Her love and wisdom in each curry shining through.

A culinary legacy passed down with such care,

An heirloom of exquisite flavors, beyond compare.

With every bite, I relished a piece of her soul,

Poured into this food, from a bond that makes me whole.

For in this humble yellow house, filled with a love so grand,

We shared a sacred meal, which forever I'll understand.

The surreal flavors of Sri Lanka, the love radiating from her touch,

A harmonious blend of tastes, and a memory I'll forever clutch.