An Ode To Arrack
An arrack glass from a Flickr set I took (slideshow). Effects using the simple Picasa.
The timing and sequence of this is a little off, but it’s a long weekend. Of course no one is drinking on Poya, but this weekend is also the Kandy Perahera. Whether it’s to the memory of Lakshman Kadirgamar, Auntie Florie, or forgetfulness itself, I’m sure many a Sri Lankan will have a tipple. People here seem to love Red Label Scotch, though arrack is another standard. Arrack is a coconut liquor with a woefully neglected Wikipedia definition. It tastes a bit like whiskey and is usually drunk straight or with Coke. What I’ve included here is a dare-i-say erotic Ode to Arrack by the brilliant and multi-talented Ms. Ruwani Hettiarachchi. Hope you enjoy the long weekend.
Ode To Arrack
You to me, are the sweetness of this wood,
You bathe me in the hot perfume your eyes.
You are the soft timbre of chinking glasses.
Your arms envelope me in their ochre glint
The hot secrets of your finger coarse through me.
Draw your smoothness over me, and let me swallow it whole.
And let me say the words ‘if tonight I die,
I die in the duskiness of your love, a thousand times wiser’
Your hot medallion of fire on my tongue; your gilded brand.
Let me make testaments to you;
No strange and waxen potions shall I make
No fleeting glamour shall I seek, your sweetness keeps me whole.
Yet you are no sweet ambrosia, no elixir of life.
Sometimes you are potent, garrulous;
In defiance of your own fragility.
But to me, you will always bring songs
Sweeter than the midnight note of the fever-bird
Laughter more resonant, our voices are full. Our hearts no longer empty.
Nymph. Wretch. Recount me your tale;
Cast no more spells on me. At least for tonight.
Because tonight I feel the coarseness of grass underfoot,
I hear the crackling of dry coconut fronds, their fullness only a lush, hidden memory.
Tonight I listen to the voluble plotting of crickets,
Tonight I glimpse the ghostliness of the moon, and I am frightened.
Lull me to sleep as you do, tracing your fingers over rivulets of sweat
But let me sleep tonight for a thousand years.
I want to forget your love, so I may love you afresh tomorrow.
In the morning, you are no more to me than a leaden milestone,
But tonight you are my very lifeblood.
Eyes reddened I will seek you out in dark places,
And I will let you swirl your fearsome fire over my mouth
And let the inferno inside silence me.
Keeper of hot-secrets,
Lay
crappy camera or art? More photos
Speaking of arrack ,I accidently bumped into the blog by Kusal Perera.The guy who was D.Sivaram’s drinking buddy when he was killed!(http://www.kusalperera.blogspot.com/).
That is an excellent blog from an interesting guy, I’m adding it to Kottu. But comment on the poem, men.
I personally like
The first and last are very sexual, and they and the middle are uniquely Sri Lankan at the same time. Like arrack, I suppose – though that is usually a bunch of men drinking together.
Amazing.
Brings back some very embarassing memories.
Hey Ru – What’s the bottle count? I stopped at one.
Was quite pissed when I thought of these words, Indi added fuel to the fire and tada! Poetically licensed nonsense ensues. I think I have turned colours after a bottle and a bit of Double Distilled.
Ru,
Wikkid! Neruda and Okri would be proud. I love it. Humid languorous sensuality with undertones of danger and decadence. Is it just me, or is it a masculine narrative? I think it is just me. SriLanka is agreeing with you, I see.
Write on!
Hey Ru!
Looks like ol’ Lanka is treating you well eh? Bravo!… save some for us….:-)
WOW!!! Thats some brilliant writing…
my favorite verse would be “But to me, you will always bring songs
Sweeter than the midnight note of the fever-bird
Laughter more resonant, our voices are full. Our hearts no longer empty.”
Looks like Colombo is good..but then again..isn’t it always???
Enjoy darling and “Let the wine (arrack) of frienship never run dry” :D
Just a quick question, not on arrack but on the hot, spicy ‘bites’ that often accompany the stuff.
Where did chillies originate?
Was it in South America ? Or were they also found in South Asia?
If they did indeed originate from South America and travel to Asia later, what was South Asian cooking like, before chillies got here?
Chilis (red, green, etc) are from South America, yes. Brought to India by the Portuguese in the 1500-1600′s and promptly adapted to Indian recipes. Prior to the import of chili plants the main “fire” in Indian cooking came from round and long pepper.
K.T. Achaya has written some great books on the subject of historic Indian foods, if you want to delve further.
Forgive me for such a long delay my absolute apologies
It is truly magnificent! Bravo! Bravo! And many more!
Your Dad’s right you should take up writing.
What kind of arrack is the best in SL? I’ve heard its Old Reserve, all I could find in UK was VSOA and Mendis, of which the latter was rancid…
IMHO Old Reserve(DCSL variety) is the best .Unfortunately I couldn’t find it on my last trip home.(I was not looking for it specifically and was little bit busy)
10 reasons our friend Mike shouldn’t get blitzed so much : 1. Red Bull & Vodka at J.D.’s – started singing.
2. Long Island iced tea at Sloppy’s – started dancin.
3. Long Island iced tea at Tito’s – started slurrin.
4. Jello shots at Rick’s – flipped off some hardcore ppl, got in a fight
5. Long Island iced tea at 801 – started whining.
6. Long Island iced tea at Rick’s – forgot he was gay and wanted to go to a strip club.
7. Puked in a strip club bathroom and got escorted out – started cryin.
8. Sat in a gutter and puked for 30 minutes while the world looked on – started callin out for his mama.
9. Had to be babysat while his ride came to pick him up out of the alley – started rolling on the ground.
10. Slept all the following day – finally shut the fuck up.
old reserve best shandied with ginger beer…sigh.