Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar Poems

A scientist told a farmer
About a pesticide’s use, saying
“Efficacy of it is indisputable
but its residue is incompatible”
...

Visit Puri; your eyes are on the idol.
Visit Konark; yours on the sculptures.
While with your wife you see her soul.
While with a pimp, you see her flesh.
...

I visited a mandir; there were no guides.
I explored and returned. I was confused.
I visited the other; many were the guides.
I wandered and returned; I was in conflict.
...

The one who was uxorious,
might, nevertheless, have a mistress,
as infidelity is not disloyalty.
Loyalty and infidelity
...

On my walk, down the way, one day,
By chance I met you in the way,
The one, to hold me in your sway,
Who by I was blinded to stay.
...

A woman in stone is nice at long sight.
The perched skin is betrayed at close look.
A woman, though not stunning at a distance,
Ceases to be so at bed, smothered by lust.
...

The beauty of women is a deadly, lethal weapon.
No sages, no emperors were spared.
Meneka sent Biswamitra insane.
Tomb of Begum Mumtaj is the world wonder.
...

Translucent neck, crescent forehead,
Bow like eyebrow, doe’s eyes,
Hilly cheeks, cherry lips,
Beaky nose, milky teeth,
...

I hired a room, stayed and left.
Many used it before and after.
It didn’t prick me. The room I bought
Was kept only for me, well guarded.
...

‘It is there! Very much there!
Go and catch the mare
before she comes to glare’.
[ a hare was told]
...