Long Kari Poems

K373 and K374 of the THIRUKKURAL: Translated with Commentary

The poet's name, THIRUVALLUVAR [Thiru = Sacred and Valluvar = the name of the priesthood caste of the « Pariah » (whom Mahatma Gandhi prefered to call...

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The Anatomy of a Kural: Maxim Number 245 (taken at random) of the Thirukkural, the Tamil Classic on Ethics by Thiruvalluvar 

allal arulaalvaarkku illai valivalangum

mallalmaa naalam kari (K245)

“The teeming earth's vast realm, round which the...

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These are modern English translations of haiku and tanka by Takaha Shugyo...

ochitsubaki ware naraba kyuryu e otsu

Oh, fallen camellias,
if I were you,
I'd leap into the torrent!
—Takaha Shugyo, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

dôkefuku nugazu tentômushi...

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These are my modern English translations of Takaha Shugyo haiku and tanka...

hatogata horarete ichiju haya mebuku

A single tree
with a heart carved into its trunk
blossoms prematurely
—Takaha Shugyo, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

dôkefuku nugazu tentômushi no...

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   Davos visiting prostitute spends her 
unbeknownst last hours wide eyed 
in a strange new World. As she smiles to her John, 
a BlackRock Assassin, who watches his boss 
approach the stage. 
The...

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I'm not sure how it all began, 
When this soothsayer became heroic to some.
As he molded a story of greatness,
Against what our nation has now become.

Those that listened were mesmerized by his fable,
As he wove...

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Niitthaar Perumai: The Fundamental Role of the Ascetic, Canto 3 of the Thirukkural-K27 and 28. Translations and Commentary.

K27: kunamenung kunreeri ninraar veguli
         kanameeyung kaatthal larithu.
The wrath 'tis...

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With her pet toy in hand and playing,
In mother’s lap, a strange smile lurking,
To her lullaby whilst listening, 
Eyes on Ma, at last succumbs to sleep,
Here’s happiness for me sound asleep.

Their heavy school bags left...

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A monochrome of boho days
segue one another surreptitiously.
Endless pantomimes of idle chatter flutter by.
Cantilever bridge, a one stop halting site for gossip and suspense.
Small talk, bespoke winged creature, Combe of pleuron.
Turin shroud spotter in the...

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Lord bless you and keep you,                             ...

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Surplus of Requirement 

m/s “Kari” rode the seas like a swan, only when the most evil waves of 
the Atlantic ocean hit, did she flap her wings. Why was it she was crewed 
by harbour...

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I want to be your fairy godmother
Sprout wings and save 
The day
Protect you from love's keen sting
Love you till you're okay
I
Act so like a child, unable to
Comprehend
Pain bigger than the ocean
Problems so beyond me

But you...

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Another world in flux rings a 
true intimate intensity floating 
on fingerprint theories of colors
in mythical memory orbits. Symmetry
by orphaned skye blue exiles 
never looking back beyond now--
gray matter time marches on toward
my chaste chromatic...

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