Spgm 050 - Stay At The Outskirts Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

(The day's sun was hot. So, they didn't go by day,
but traveled in the moon light at night. On the way
Kowsikan brought a letter from Madhavi. Kovalan sent
him back to Pugar and played yazh with Bhannar,
the yazh player. He learnt from the Bhannar
how far Madurai was and crossed the Vagai River
in a wooden boat. They all reached a slum area
at the outskirts of Madurai.)

EXPECTING THE ARRIVAL OF THE NIGHT

As said before, the huntress,
Who wore the queen's dress,
She came out from that disguise,
And went back to her house.

At the feet of Kownthi Adigal, Kovalan fell
And the problems, one by one, he began to tell.
"She can't bear the heat of the sun.
Her feet can't bear the sharp stones."

"Still we don't find any wild bear,
Nor any leopard ran after a deer.
Snakes, devils, crocodiles and thunder,
They're harming none, it's a wonder."

"This is the state, southerner's rule,
Who're famous for their model role.
Better we avoid going by the day
And go by the night every day."

This had Kownthi Adigal's support.
They waited for arrival of the night,
For their journey onward to start
Towards Madurai after the sunset.

THE MOONSHINE

Along with his army of stars
The moon rose up in the skies
Spreading his milky rays,
As he moved slowly across.

The moon's milky white ray,
That fell o'er Kannagi on the way,
It gave her a feeling of love
But she felt to reveal how?

The mother earth kept her heat low,
Out of her pity she did show
On seeing Kannagi's helpless plight,
In that lovely moonlight night.

AS THEY WALKED, THE DAY BROKE

On the way, Kannagi became tired.
Kovalan told her, "Don't be afraid
Of the leopards, owls, and bears
Which do make horrible noises."

O'er her shoulders he held his hand.
Kownthi Adigal, who came behind,
Told them the codes of conduct
One had to keep in mind and act.

The wild forest they crossed.
It was dawn when cocks crowed.
They reached the Brahmin's street
Which was echoing songs sweet.

Kovalan kept them both at a safe place,
And he went here and there to trace
For their needs a source of water
Somewhere in that early hour.

THE CREEPER, MADHAVI

Seeing his wife's suffering,
While with him walking,
Kovalan was in distress.
His health failed, bad to worse.

Kowsikan, Madhavi's messenger,
Mistook Kovalan for a stranger,
His face having lost its luster,
In that difficult forest atmosphere.

He indirectly told a creeper,
"Like Madhavi, you appear
To have lost your splendor
In the sun's heat, I wonder."

These words having heard,
Kovalan slowly went forward
To meet the messenger,
Who stood near the creeper.

The messenger told Kovalan,
"There you've left Madhavi alone.
Your old father and mother mourn
Like a serpent lost its costly stone."

"All the relatives feel sorry,
Drowned in the ocean of worry,
They sent servants in every direction
To find out your present location."

"Just like Ayodhya was upset,
When Rama went to the forest
Pugar Town feels your absence.
It's longing for your presence."