WHILE MAHADEVI AKKA CLEANS THE FISH

ASHALATHA

Morning

I can see from here that

The fish that had conquered Pangod market

Was lying calm and tame

In Mahadevi akkan’s hand.

Its shining beauty

The colourful scales, size.

Crouching  all covered up

Calling my dear Aattukaalammachi

Mahadevi akkan teaches it  advaita

Through kshurasya dhaara

And with the compassion  that

Life is impermanent

Sends it to seek salvation.

I can see its body charms

Becoming ragmented.

The waste and gills from inside for the crow

Head for the cat

The tail for the tailless dog

Breast to the single breasted

Ottamulachi

That is how Mahadevi akkan

Shares her egalitarianism.

Though I am least interested in

Re-appropriating  the kitchen

The rice and its buddies

Are sweating and boiling

Even on my stove.

The Word

Is boiling on the stove

Getting to the right boil

And keeps  boiling

Thereafter.

THE PRAYER OF A CHAPAL OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE

K. SACHIDANANDAN

You the cobbler of cobblers.

One who knows the size of each foot

And knows the distances

That are to be traversed by each.

But why is it  that I,

One who has received

With my body the stones, dust ,thorns and mud

Have to sit outside,

While this man who has never had to

Feel the pain in his feet

Stands close to you.

Salvation is for him , and hell for me.

At least  in the next birth

Please make this man were to be born as a chapal

And to lie there,

Outside heaven, with this  same prayer

Of the one who was left out.

(Trans: benoy.p.j)