[Dark Saint Alaick]

Tamil Poems By S. Abdul Rahaman


Thirst


You've,
oh gardener,
chopped off
my branches
overleaping the hedge;
but
what would you do
with my roots
snaking under it ?


Self-Immolation


One
kindling
the memory of the other,
let us both
burn ourselves out
slowly :
I
a candle
you
an incense stick.
I light up
agony :
you add
fragrance.

Soon as the light is out
agony will forget me;
but your thoughts
would wheel around it.


Translated by M. S. Ramaswami