“Give, Eat, and Live” from Avvaiyar’s Nalvazhi | ஆண்டாண்டு தோறும் அழுது புரண்டாலும்
A poem about death—and life—from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.
Even if you wallow, weeping year after year,
Will those who have died come back?
You of this earth
Weep not. That too is our way. Till going, give
—what is it to us?—give, eat, and live.