A BIRTH DAY WISH
What picture shall I draw
On the 44th page
Of your life today?
A sea gull
Flying beyond the horizon
And a lonely boat down the sea
Sailing?
Yes, the sea gulls
Still flying and flying beyond
Unnoticing the lonely boat
Which is sailing and sailing.
What is the destination
The bird is flying towards
When every target in the vast universe
Fails.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Ponniah, there are some really nice images in your poems and this is clearly your main strength. And I have looked through many of them. However, alas there has to be a 'however', you are sometimes let down by some strange English constructs. (Though I would never dare write in Tamil. If I was so reckless, I'm sure the result would be far, far worse.) For example the final verse of this poem might be better rendered: Yes, the seagull Still flying, flying beyond Not noticing the lonely boat Which is sailing, sailing away. I only say this because I think, with a little work, you could produce some really good poems. A poet will less talent I would not bother about commenting upon.