Lust Versus Ethics Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

Lust never rests
Between two souls
But tends to crossfire.

She drew to me closer
While at work we were.
There were under-currents
Deep in the placid ocean.

She feigned her presence
Propelled by Lust,
But refrained from advance,
Repelled by Ethics.

Be merry, Lust lured;
Be virtuous, Ethics warned.
Is she to give in or not?
Lust and Ethics were at war.

I felt her and smelt her
But bent not to taste her,
Yet it is as much worth
As if she was tasted.

A flower when smelt
Is not spoilt but is, when plucked.
So she is not abducted.
Lust and Ethics were at par.
09.07.96