To the Ocean
by Movindi Herath (Sri Lanka)
May 2023

Audio: “To the Ocean,” read by Sasindie Subasinghe
I am an instrument in the shape
of a river...
under the blue sky,
till the day I die.
Blow soft breeze blow
I’ll carry your dreams
when I flow,
to my master whose name
echoes in wave breaks,
engraved on white pearls,
resounding in every ripple,
mighty but light.
Glow my firefly glow,
enlighten my path of dusk,
I’ll sing to you when I flow,
to my master,
who crossed in the bridge in dawn,
shedding the evil wings
of the phoenix of desire and avarice...
Slow and slow I’ll flow,
call my name in need,
I’ll be there indeed,
at your side as a catcher of dream,
keeping the dark at bay.
To the west, to the north I’ll flow
in starry nights,
over the ridges, under the arches,
not reverse, the river marches...
Movindi Herath, age 16, is a Sri Lankan school girl. She dreams of becoming a writer in order to make the world a better place than it is now. In this piece, “To the Ocean”, she uses metaphor to emphasize the great philosophy of her religion, Buddhism.
Are you a young writer who wants to be published in Write the World Review, or is there a young writer in your life (relative, friend) who should be published in Write the World Review? Learn how here!
Lola
9/17/23, 8:43 AM
Powerful. Spreading the truth some don't think about, some don't have to worry about. A great and strong piece.
9/16/23, 2:41 AM
9/16/23, 2:41 AM
9/16/23, 2:41 AM
Aisha Yaakub
8/25/23, 10:35 PM
Excellent and amazing
8/17/23, 7:00 AM
Absolutely beautiful poem! The words were picked meaningfully and used it a descriptive way. Very relatable.
Aisha
8/11/23, 4:59 AM
Beautiful, moving and thought provoking. Keep up the amazing work!
8/11/23, 4:48 AM
Absolutely beautiful work! Relatable for some and eye-opening for others.
Amina
6/19/23, 6:26 PM
It is really great, I'm impressed!
Eunice N Kitchener
6/11/23, 5:13 PM
Quite amazing and interesting story. It's also a challenge to others. Develop your skills through hard work.
Sydney
6/8/23, 7:21 AM
Beautiful. A wonderful portrait of the identity crisis caused by colonialism.
Clare
5/26/23, 6:23 AM
Congratulations Claire - this is a powerful piece - this feeling of a yearning for a home that may not even exist anymore will be something that everyone who lives outside of their original homeland will resonate with. Well done.