What the Right Hand Receives, the Left Hand Gives Away

Poets post their works-in-progress here for crit and commentary. We want poets who are serious about getting their work published.
Post Reply
Message
Author
SivaRamanathan
Posts: 1168
Joined: 14 May 2011, 20:30

What the Right Hand Receives, the Left Hand Gives Away

#1 Post by SivaRamanathan » 22 Jun 2020, 21:08

White bearded grandfather
connoisseur of Tamil Sangam poetry
was a literary planet.

He had plates of pure silver made
for poets from the North
and scholars were his satellites.

I took him to the Kamban Kazhagam
every poetry season, even gifted him
a tiny red suitcase to keep his agenda notes.

His right hand received the gift
his left hand gave it away to his son’s daughter
and I cried and cried.

My husband said, once you have given
it is his to do as he wishes.
Your job ends with the giving.

To this day, I would have liked
grandpa to have carried that tiny red suitcase
to the Tamil poetry reading, where Dr. M.G.R

once descended from the dais, bowed to grandpa
wearing his velvet green cap, and led him to the front row
with his own hands.

Sivakami Velliangiri

Foot Note
Kamban Kazhagam (Kamban Academy) is a Tamil organization which was founded to promote Ramayana of Tamil poet Kambar. The organisation was formed by Tamil politician Saw Ganesan at Karaikudi in 1939.[1]

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: What the Right Hand Receives, the Left Hand Gives Away

#2 Post by Michael (MV) » 03 Jul 2020, 02:23

 
Hi Siva,


1/ Workshop consider the opening as:

White bearded grandfather
connoisseur of Tamil Sangam poetry
was a literary planet;

with scholars for satellites.
he had plates of pure silver minted
for poets from the North.


2/ lecture notes for "agenda notes"



3/ and for my favorite stanza:

"My husband said, once you have given
it is his to do as he wishes.
Your job ends with the giving."

as

My husband explained that once you have given,
it is for the receiver to decide the future of the present.
Your responsibility ends with the giving.



8)

Michael (MV)
 

 
 
  

 

 
 

SivaRamanathan
Posts: 1168
Joined: 14 May 2011, 20:30

Re: What the Right Hand Receives, the Left Hand Gives Away

#3 Post by SivaRamanathan » 03 Jul 2020, 08:59

Michael,
I have submitted that poem also. For the Prompt,"Tiny Red Suitcase.'Do not know if it will get picked up. Is it alright?
Siva

Post Reply