The devil is everywhere in Sri Lanka
He is there in wooden masks, with red tongues
And curled green locks. He is there is drums
That make havoc of dance. He is there in dance
When we eat fire and swirl our toes
To the noise of his two drum heads.
He is there in love, in worship wearing masks
Blinded by circumstance.
Yakka Yakka, Devil Devil,
How we don’t need much
To find the little wheels that follow the coal engine.
Like the lips that swallow, the eyes that make love
And the palms that grip
Yakka Yakka, Yakada Yakka.
Even the tsunami couldn’t stop you.
Not even Poseidon and his wrath.
How can a little engine be stopped
When her heart is heme-rich
Circulating vitality from chamber to tip.
Heart at times, can grow horns,
To clip our wings; to fall.
