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A poem about restraint, patience, and surprise, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
Don’t think to conquer the one who holds back,
Concluding he must lack sense.
Perched on the sluicegate
Letting the running fish run, the white crane
Waits for the catch.
Moothurai 16, “Adakkam udayar arivilar.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
A poem about sensing beyond what people say.
“Recess,” by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE SAFETY OF EDGES
Marrowstone Press, Seattle
A poem about staying close to goodness, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
To behold a good person is good. To hear
His words full of goodness is good.
To speak
Of a good person’s character is good. Good
To find a place in his company.
Moothurai 8, “Nallarai kanbathum nandre.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
A poem about springtime in springtime and beyond.
“The Walk Home,” by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE SAFETY OF EDGES
Marrowstone Press, Seattle
A poem about true friendship by the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar. From her collection, “The Word that Endures.”
Like water birds that leave a dried-up lake
Those who flee trouble are not friends.
Like the lilies
And lotuses staying in that lake,
Those who stick with you—friends.
Moothurai 17, “Atra kulathil aruneer paravai pol.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles
