Jack’s kind of macho if you know what I mean,
A little crazy and mad he can be,
Never likes to study, and lessons are silly to him – it seems,
Relaxing and lazing are his favourite hobbies.

Now Julian’s the opposite but just as bad,
He studies here and he studies there – loves to study,
You know the book worm sort of man,
Though he looks weird with his funny specs and book in hand,
But who cares, so long as he’s a happy man.

Jason’s a bit tougher than the rest,
He has big strong muscles and he’s good in sports,
If you need to shift something heavy, ask him, he’ll surely say yes,
But if you ask him to help you with maths,
He’ll tell you his brain needs some rest.

Unlike the rest, James is the better man,
He’s an all rounder you might say,
‘Cause he’s a scholar, a sportsman and a gentleman,
What makes him so unique and special,
He’s a true Victorian, I’ll probably say.

This is not the end yet folks,
I forgot to tell you about the fifth,
Who is neither a scholar, a sportsman nor a gentleman,
Though not even a Victorian,
I still prefer to be with this one,
‘Cause SHE’s so very sweet. (Her name’s Julia)

Ten years had passed
When I met the four Victorians;
They had all become very successful men.

Jack’s speeding off in a big limousine, (He’s a driver you know)
Julian’s busy in a world famous university, (as a janitor)
Physically fit, Jason’s opened a business, (selling chendol)
Still a true Victorian, James a big man now. (He’s a senator)

Oops, again I forgot about the fifth one,
I’ve got to run now,
"Cause Julia’s waiting for me at the Mall.

Ezer
1991

And now you stand so proud,
With dignity so tall,
Trials came your way,
But yet you did not fall,
You bore fruit so sweet,
More precious than gold,
But most of all,
You lived to be a hundred years old.

VICTORIA, You represent that tree,
For you have given, so much love to me,
So I thank you for you’re the one that I adore,
And I pray you’ll live for a hundred years more.

D. Sanjeeva Jeyaretna
1993