Three poems
The new gods.
iambic pentameter and rhyme
17 syllables at a time.
pace and metaphor
emotions and other.
asking me for trust, faith and feeling
prose offers reason.
down, I say, with the new gods.
Of poetry.
(Written for the Blasphemy reading. )
The other two are Chenthil’s – but translated by me.
#1
That moment of quiet
between your first words
and your last moan
shall forever be silenced by my kiss.
(Original)
#2
I believe. Not in stone idols or atheistic words.
I believe. Not in blind faith and mythical fate.
I believe. In the words. Of the One who said “The sky can be had, here on earth.”
I believe. In Bharathi.
(Original)
About
Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan is a copywriter, photographer and goofball from Chennai. He is also an archaeologist, historian and a city lover. He is currently a documentary film-maker and desk-monkey for a film production house.
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April 21st, 2008 - 20:01
About chenthil’s poem #1.
His poem sounds like the first word happened after the last moan. Yours sounds like the first word happened before the last moan. The time in between may not be the same.
April 22nd, 2008 - 09:34
Nice translation. Just curious – how long did it take you to translate these poems?
April 22nd, 2008 - 10:35
Sowmya: Yes. I realised that after I wrote this – and I did tell Chenthil that I liked his version (his English translation) better.
Krishnan: Thank you! About 20 minutes, I think.
April 22nd, 2008 - 13:37
My English version was
After the last sigh
Before the first words
Is a fleeting moment of bliss
Frozen in time by my kiss.
April 28th, 2008 - 01:50
Nice to read those lines.
April 28th, 2008 - 22:28
some more nitpicking-
how can a moment of quiet
be silenced?
April 29th, 2008 - 13:29
Sree: Thank you!
fe: Poetic license, perhaps?