Red Earth and Pouring Rain

What could my mother be
to yours? What kin is my father
to yours anyway? And how
did you and I meet ever?

But in love our hearts are as red
earth and pouring rain:
mingled
beyond parting.

- Cempulappeyanirar

Its a translation of a poem from Karunkotai, a 2nd century collection of Tamil Sangam poetry. Interestingly, I read a book by Vikram Chandra called "Red Earth and Pouring Rain", which quotes these as its opening lines. Just happened to come across the verse again.

Another one I liked -

Only the dim witted says its evening
when the sun goes down
and the sky reddens,
when misery deepens,
and the mullai begins to bloom,
in the dusk.

But even when the tufted cock,
calls in the long city,
and the long night
breaks into dawn,
it is evening:
even noon
is evening,
to the companionless.

- Milaipperun Kantan

A couple of nice ones from a 7th century collection of Sanskrit poetry by Bhartrihari. Yes, most of the poetic structure has most likely been mangled in translation.

For one short act, a child; next act a boy
In love; then poor; a short act to enjoy
Status and wealth; till in the last act, Man,
Painted with wrinkles, body bent with age,
Ending the comedy which birth began,
Withdraws behind the curtain of life's stage.

---

A man lives long who lives a hundred years:
Yet half is sleep, and half the rest again
Old age and childhood. For the rest, a man
Lives close companion to disease and tears,
Losing his love, working for other men.
Where can joy find a space in this short span?

---

In former days we'd both agree
That you were me, and I was you.
What has happened now to us two,
That you are you, and I am me?

---

Her face is not the moon, nor are her eyes
Twin lotuses, nor are her arms pure gold:
She's flesh and bone. What lies the poets told!
Ah, but we love her, we believe the lies.

---

The ignorant are quickly satisfied,
And argument will soon convince the wise;
But Heaven's own wisdom scarcely will suffice
To contradict a half-baked scholar's pride.

Not bad eh?!