A Journey of Ignorance
Pramudith D Rupasinghe & Maria A Perdomo
Your feet on my chest,
since you were born,
leaving body’s weight,
till the day you die,
looking down at me,
so long as you walk,
a journey of ignorance…
I didn't choose to be born
on your bare chest,
Not guilty, it isn’t mine.
I wasn’t taught,
to destroy what I touch.
It isn’t me.
They aren’t yours
it’s the earth’s.
Your guilt either,
taught at birth,
parents? My own children,
unlearn! If not,
a journey of ignorance…
My journey is to be ME,
free as a bird, flying,
living my desires.
A free man, not a slave.
I belong to me,
Me, I and I
Not none other.
You belong to none
but me. Man!
And you are of me,
and for me. Man!
Life you live, mine.
Freedom too, mine.
A journey of ignorance…
My freedom is mine,
I was born into it.
I wasn't bought
or sold to your stocks,
What of mine is yours?
Dark ‘nd dumb earth!
The light above is,
the freedom, at birth.
The wall around is,
living fiction you built!
A journey of ignorance…
This is a man's world,
not yours, Earth!
Freedom is man’s
choice, right?
The light that comes with the sun,
isn’t fictional.
Science.
The world, life.
Man’s fiction.
Freedom, a choice,
man’s delusion.
The sun’s light
isn’t man’s, right?
A journey of ignorance…
You cannot punish me
for living on you.
I make you a better place,
not just dreaming.
The dream you’re
selling is dying. Earth.
The machines we create,
now are flying.
You weren’t punished at birth,
you lived a life, punishable,
your dream, wild and selfish
a journey of ignorance…
My wrath, unimaginable:
the waves in Pulau Pulau,
the mountains that smoke,
the earth that swings,
the raging wildfires,
all are mine.
My wrath,
wrath you earned.
A journey of ignorance.
Pramudith D Rupasinghe is a Sri Lankan writer and humanitarian. His literary works predominantly unfold in settings beyond his native Sri Lanka, for which he earned the name 'Writer Without Borders. His work of fiction, 'Bayan,' set in pre-conflict Ukraine, won the Golden Aster Prize for Global Literature in 2020 and was longlisted for the 2023 Paris Book Festival. Rupasinghe's works have been translated into several languages, including Sinhalese, Burmese, German, Spanish, Russian, and French. He has also dedicated two decades to humanitarian work, drawing inspiration for his writing from his missions to Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. He is known for his thought-provoking narratives that delve into the human psyche, cultural identities, and global experiences. Pramudith seldom writes poetry. His first collection of poetry, ‘Anthropic Waves’ was published by Dahuli Publishers in India in early 2025. Currently, he is working on his 3rd novel, ‘Roomschool’. He is also the founder/CEO of The Asian Group of Literature and a cultural curator.
Maria A Perdomo is an emerging Venezuelan poet who has penned two poetry collections so far. She writes in both Spanish and English. Currently based in Valencia, Venezuela, Maria is a medical professional who has shown an unyielding passion for literature from a young age. She is working on her first novel and a third and new poetry collection. Her writing is known for its boldly honest nature, soulfulness, profoundness and intimacy. Her poetry works have been published in Latino Book Review 2025, Anam 4th edition and Asian Review.