Poetry at Sangam
Poetry at Sangam showcases poetry in English and translations as well as essays on poetics and news of new releases.
Verse 6
small minded Buddhists
and the weak headed sworn to other sects
lurch in lies stumble in desiccated faiths stutter vacant words their systems worthless
while i
grown in glory
shed by Sivan’s sight
even the shine
even the shadow
of the sacred pond
sends shivering bliss
my ever action becomes penance
purified
in the petri dish of devotion
by the ocean of compassion
clap clap clapping
we bend and rise
clap clap clapping
we dance the kummi
closing her eyes
priya sees
village women bending and rising
like the snake of faith itself
now lost in longing now sure
sacred rapture
like poison
cannot be overcome
Tiru-tonokkam /Song of Clapping presents Manicavacakar using the voice of village women performing the kummi , a dance of bending and rising while clapping , then touching the shoulder to the dancer in front. This last gesture also implied touching of the feet of Siva in total devotion as, possibly understanding dawns on the dancer that everything is, in essence, sacred. I present one verse, Shobana another.
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