Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar Poems

Cause and effect theory is at work,
By which one event leads to another.
Cause gives effect and effect turns a cause.
Impermanence is inevitable.
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Mud is not water;
Yet it contains water.
Woman is not sweet;
Yet she retains sugar.
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Younger than my daughter,
She called me ‘brother’
Why not call me ‘uncle’?
Uncle has more sanction.
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Don’t test literature
With science and wisdom.
Don’t test the scriptures
With science and knowledge
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Stealing is gainful but is bad in law.
Stealing one’s wife is worse and harsh in blow.
Unlike the stolen things, which are mute,
Women in adultery have a role to play.
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Man’s desire for woman is casual.
Woman’s desire for man is special.
Woman responds to man from gratitude,
From pity or for a future.
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A spendthrift will have
Little money to buy jewels.
A womanizer will have
Little libido to go with harlots.
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Big men are the untried thieves.
Thieves are the convicted poor.
Donors are the untried swindlers.
swindlers are the exposed petty.
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Fear takes away your pleasure
When you smoke in a prohibited place.
Fear takes away your pleasure
When you sleep with a forbidden person.
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The ex-minister is still the minister
And the ex-lover is still the lover
As far as the incumbents are concerned.
That late Ram must be Mr. Ram is Ram’s wish.
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