Pray, what use vouching witless words so vain?
For men to tread only two tracks seem sane:
Youthful beauty’s well-bestowed a bosom,
Retire or else to woods, make ho nor hum.
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Translation(quatrain) | 21.08.2025 | men, romance, women, forest
Note: Here is a verse from Bhartrihari’s Shringaara Shatakam (hundred verses on love and romance) in this case in Maalinee meter. It says, let us cut down all words of wisdom so vain. When it comes to bare basics, there are only two ways in this world well their worth for a man to pursue, both as last resorts: a youthful beauty’s well-bestowed bosom, or retiring to forest, far from the madding crowd as they say. Note the rhyming assonance and alliteration: yauvanam va vanam va. Here is transliteration of the verse:
Kim iha bahubhih uktaih yukti-shunyaih pralaapaih
Dvayam iha purushaanaam sarvadaa sevaneeyam ||
Abhinava mada-leelaa-laalasam sundareenaam
Stana-bhara parikhinnam yauvanam vaa vanam vaa || 72 ||
Let the words of my mouth fall silent
To listen to my beating heart
Then will I be most still and content
In rhythm with nature's warm art
To still the noise which dulls reflection
Brings closer the meaning of life
And prompts the deepest meditation
Saving us all from petty strife
It is in that calm we come close to peace
Safe from the stress around us all
Our souls relax,our troubles cease
Only then do we understand our fall
Far from the madding crowd we must stray
If contentment is to come our way
The thought of my village makes me nostalgic
Memorable days spent over there were unique
Anchored in a cool and serene environment
It is exuberant with pleasure and entertainment
Rising early in the morning to breathe the fresh air
Arouses consciousness in the villager about health care
Chirping of birds are pleasant to hear
As they enchant the ear
Embellished with flowers and greenery
Which project a lively and beautiful scenery
On a fertile land which is very suitable
To produce one's own vegetables
With the dawn singing of the cock
There is no need for the clock
In the town everywhere it is so loud
But my village is far from the madding crowd
A locality where every neighbour knows each other
Ever ready to help without expecting any offer
Reminiscent of my friends and school days
My village transcends me to my heyday
With the outbreak of jealousy and sorcery
I was obliged to part urgently
Now my only wish is to return in your bosom
Ah! miss you since you are my kingdom!
Waltzing by the bamboo trees
Clusters of serenity
The winding wind sings softly
The movement of the light
Tints and shades and hues take flight
Changing patterns hurl insight
There is a whisper I hear
Watch the bamboo leaves endear
The old pavilion right here
Shady trees spread overtones
By park bench of cold, cold stone
Play of light with windy groans
The world in a rush repair
Ignores this calm, curious air
Rush to feast other affairs
Only the old retirees
Walk and sit and chat softly
See patterns forgetfully
Now far from the madding crowd
The pace of life is not loud
Yet a festive mood stands proud
Once upon a time the chase
Now the twilight years keep pace
Wrinkles and silver hairs trace
Leon Enriquez
29 January 2015
Singapore
Loneliness is a trend to be followed according to taste
Loneliness is a race without any haste
Jump through hoops to please life
Always keep loneliness as a faithful wife
To mull over something you will need it
When other relationships weaken loneliness remains fit
It acts as your companion when others fail
Hold loneliness tightly it stands like a rail
Loneliness is a dish; sweet and sour
Its door is open you may knock at any hour
Not being shady it is crystal clear
Something sincere that humanity can revere
A rainbow in itself it inspires meditation
Loneliness denies theory giving way to implementation
Far from the madding crowd it is the only gate
Loneliness used as a mystical link can change one's fate
Saints have yearned to dwell in it for years
Loneliness is the sanctity designed to erase mutual barriers...
MUST REMEMBER
Yes I wandered lonely as a cloud
Bareskinned there far from the madding crowd
With no clothes as in naturism,
Rememb’ring as in plagiarism
Stealing others’ words is not allowed
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .
Entered in John Freeman’s Contest “Limericks Hilarious”
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