On the eve of parting
You said:
‘Laughter was our language, Our path.’
Nothing profounder than that
Did the mountains bring forth
Or the depths harvest.
Nothing lonelier than that
Did spring and grow.
Or spread Beyond the Pampa, lake and sea.
Farther than that
There’s no goal in sight.
Smile and bid me farewell.
Like a rich flame
It will protect my tomorrows
From mortal fears.
I wish My soul would take birth
As a smile
Go forth into rivers and winds
Thunder-clouds and waves
And express you
As a rainbow
And much more.
Translated from Malayalam by Dhanya Menon
Contibrutor:
K.G. SANKARA PILLAI. Renowned poet. Recipient of the Kendra Akademi award for poetry. Retired as Principal from the Maharajas College, Ernakulam.
Translator:
DHANYA MENON. Teaches English at the Prajyothi Niketan, Puthukkad, Thrissur. Her Ph.D is on Indian Aesthetics. Has contributed widely to research journals and has many translations to her credit.
