More from Bharati…

The Fire-ling

I stumbled upon a fire-ling. In a hole,

deep in those dark woods,  I placed it.

The forest was consumed by the ensuing flame.

In matters of courage, where lies the difference

Between a novice and the veterans?

Thath-thari-kita thath-thari-kita thath-thohm.

Challenging the God

Another translation from the Tamil poet, Bharati:

In persistently pursuing food and gorging,
In squandering off time in squabbling and tattling
And then, sulking and profusely suffering,
In scheming to inflict on others, undue misery
And then, after graying and growing senile,
Being preyed upon by the deities of death,
Withers away the lives of ludicrous men.
Like them, do you dare think, I shall fall?