These are not My Favourite Things!

The day breaks with queues for milk powder and diesel, Never ending queues for kerosene, gas and petrol, No milk in my tea, no sugar in sight! These are not My Favourite Things!

Roads lined with three wheelers, limousines and bikes, People are standing three days and three nights, The rain pours, the sun burns, some faint one by one! These are not My Favourite Things!

No parties! Can’t dine out!

No trips to the faraway hills!

I simply remember those Favourite Things, And then I don’t feel so bad!

Blueberry cheesecake and hot chocolate treats, Scrambled egg and buttered toast for breakfast to eat Walks early morning on the Galle Face Green! These were a few of My Favourite Things!

Noodles and pizzas with food Thai and Chinese, Closed are their doors since they’re short of some pennies,

Can’t make do with hoppers ... “no flour” it seems! These were a few of My Favourite Things!

Let’s walk now, or cycle,

Even to Kandy and back!

I simply remember the picnics we had, And then I don’t feel so bad!

No power in the country for two hours or three, Can’t light my cooker or kettle for tea,

My fridge does not cool, the microwave won’t heat! These were a few of My Favourite Things!

Shipments are sent back “no dollars to pay”, Price hikes each midnight, for cash I am tight! No Panadol when sick, but “Kasayas” to drink! But then, I must not feel so bad!

Children have no school, but classes online, They’ll forget their Hist’ry and Maths for awhile, No minis and bikinis - (it’s Grandmother’s Time!) These may not be their Favourite Things!

Be calm now! Be wise now!

There’s no need to be so afraid!

Just simply remember the good times we’ve had, And then we won’t feel so bad!

Trains are not moving at most of the stations, Buses are crowded with men without patience, Barricades and roadblocks are seen on the screen, These were never My Favourite Things!

The firewood keeps crackling!

A jog in a cart will be fun!

I’ll drive through the Park in an old bullock cart! And then I won’t feel so bad!

I’m happy! I am carefree!

Since all this is off of my chest!

With apologies to Dame Julie Andrews and the rest And now I won’t feel so bad!

(Lyrics changed to suit the present situation)

Savitri Jayatileka Via email