Best Kokila Poems
The name Mahatma Gandhi is synonymous with truth
But he was not an epitome of truth by birth
His mother Putlibai had had strong religious faith
Unless and until rituals completed, she used to hold breath
She also practiced the sacred "Kokila Vratha" - a vow ritual
She would wait for the call of Kokila - cuckoo - before breakfast
To have breakfast, such call of the cuckoo is vital
One day she waited for a long for such call but steadfast
Young Gandhi couldn't bear such of her strain
He gone out of the house and imitated
like the cooing, the way the cuckoo used to entertain
Then persuaded mother to eat, as if he had never acted
Instead she slapped Gandhi as if an arrow pierced her heart
She wailed,"What a great sinner am I to have begotten
such a wicked liar as son, Oh Lord!" as she knew his act of covert
On seeing her eyes with tears, young Gandhi was profoundly bitten
Deeply moved by her words, Gandhi made a promise
to her: "In my life, henceforth, I will not utter falsehood"
Thus mother molded a new Gandhi, to firmly raise
Even with troubles and turmoil, like rock he stood
There are numerous events to adore Gandhi sticking to truth
With stern and unyielding morality, he made his mother more beautiful
"As is the seed, so is the plant" is a fact and not a myth
Only such lesson scissiled Gandhi to remain forever truthful !
Copyrights reserved by Mr. V.MUTHU MANICKAM
Where fruits and flower trees they fell,
And safeguard thorny trees so well;
Peacocks, swans and cuckoos are killed,
Crows are offered a safety shield;
Tusks and donkeys as alike scaled,
Camphor equal with cotton held;
Where such a logic holds its clout,
From such a land let me bow out.
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Translation |18.08.2024| rhyme, people, trees
The Sanskrit verse:
chhedah chandana-choota-champaka vane rakshaa api shaakhotake,
himsaa hamsa-mayoora-kokila kule kaakeshu nitya-aadarah |
maatangena khara-krayah sama-tulaa karpoora-kaarpaasayoh,
eshaa yatra vichaaranaa gunigane deshaaya tasmai namah ||
Seems, something rare conquers the heart
Of some, whatever be the cause,
Love matters, seldom any laws,
In love, merit plays little part.
Maaltee flowers bloom not in spring,
When verdant green wood spreads its spell,
Lovelorn cuckoos when sweetly call,
What for? A poet’s left musing.
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Translation |16.08.2024| free verse, spring, love
The Sanskrit verse:
bhavati hrdaya-haaree kah api kasya api hetuh
na khalu guna-visheshah prema-bandha-prayoge |
kisalayita-vana-ante kokila- aarava-ramye
vikasati na vasante maaltee kah atra hetuh ||