Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

Poets post their works-in-progress here for crit and commentary. We want poets who are serious about getting their work published.
Post Reply
Message
Author
meenas17
Posts: 822
Joined: 23 Mar 2014, 11:27

Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

#1 Post by meenas17 » 20 Aug 2019, 11:53

A quiet town Kancheepuram.
turns an avenue of celebration
where devotees throng
to catch a glimpse of
"Athivaradar".

He is not a deity
of stone or metal
but of wood
of the fig tree. "Athi "
being the Tamil name.

Varadar resides
mostly in water,
stays on land
for forty eight days
every forty years.

Myriad reasons
being attributed
to this feature,
which make Him
ever more charming.

Athivaradar comes
out of water. Lies
in the Mandapam
bedecked with jewels
and clad in handwoven
Kanchi silk.

Devotees brave heat, rains
and local administration
actions to have a look.
His face displays heavenly
grace . His smile entices.


On the forty eight day,
the Lord returns home
in pomp. The priests
and the administration
revel with rejoice.

Contributions, willing
and extracted,runs
into billions. Blessed
are those who serve him.
Varathar is a fantastic giver.


The unusual stay does not
pass without mishaps.
Thirty eight die in the stampede.
hundreds get hurt, all for
seeing Varathar for a second.

Adieu,Oh Lord!
meenas17

Kenneth2816
Posts: 1619
Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17

Re: Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

#2 Post by Kenneth2816 » 20 Aug 2019, 18:54

Another fascinating piece of work Meenas

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

#3 Post by BobBradshaw » 20 Aug 2019, 19:31

Love the close! Fab last line

meenas17
Posts: 822
Joined: 23 Mar 2014, 11:27

Re: Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

#4 Post by meenas17 » 22 Aug 2019, 09:05

Thanks, Ken and Bob.
meenas17

capricorn
Posts: 382
Joined: 21 Sep 2017, 23:23

Re: Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

#5 Post by capricorn » 24 Aug 2019, 03:05

A lovely and fascinating poem, Meena.

I love the use of 'throng' in St1.

but of wood
of the fig tree. "Athi "
being the Tamil name.

Perhaps trim this to 'but of fig tree wood'


The priests
and the administration
revel with rejoice.

Perhaps 'revel with rejoicing'


The unusual stay does not
pass without mishaps.
Thirty eight die in the stampede.
hundreds get hurt, all for
seeing Varathar for a second.

Adieu,Oh Lord!

An unexpected ending - well done!

Eira

meenas17
Posts: 822
Joined: 23 Mar 2014, 11:27

Re: Forty Eight Days After Forty Years-- Athi Varadar

#6 Post by meenas17 » 24 Aug 2019, 09:02

I will edit in the revision.
Thanks. Eira.
meenas17

Post Reply