Translated from the Malayalam by Sandeep 

Canvas 

Painting for color, wall for painting
House for wall; thus in that order!
Earth for the house to stay upon, and for—
That the planetary system, in that order!

One creates canvas for the other, yet-
For all those, mind forms the canvas!
Is there any canvas ever wider than that?
Is there canvas ever for indelible paintings?

Paintings may whiten by spread of colors;
White canvas may once decay and crumble
Wall where hangs the painting may collapse
House behind that wall may once tumble;

Even the globe where house stands may fall
As days and nights go by, may once disintegrate
One day globes may lose direction and those
May brush with each other, thus deteriorate.

In that space where everything finally ends
May once twinkle the mind of a star; inside it—
Can appear color, painting mixing colors;
A surface for painting to stay; and far beyond
Even that may exist an earth; and this universe.
Order of time is cyclic! Only due to that we know
That everything has neither beginning nor end!

Remains 

While you remain gazing at
Here on the tip of the leaf
I transform into being a drop
Left to be detached from!

Still remains a lone desire
Still left is that sole wish
Let that final fall be onto
The tip of a rose’s petal!

If so, at least for a moment
Can glow, glisten for once
In the light of solar radiance
Transform into a diamond.

If so, at best for an instant
Can become rose water
To moisten the earth by
Spreading that fragrance!

If not that, if I fall just onto
The leftover water surface
That is left in a puddle;
What then will be left of me?

Mattress of Shadow 

In order to rest head, a mattress
Of shadow; to quench thirst
A drop of raincloud’s breast milk;
To eat when hungry a fallen—
Bael-leaf; and upon falling due to
Tired legs, earth to pertain!

On getting wet, double strand wipe
Of sunlight; to hide shyness
Not one but directions eight; sheet
Of wind to hide during cold;
To reach with gasping breath, space
With clouds thatched as roof!

I realize, oh universe, there isn’t any
Bound to the generosity yours,
Since long time ago, such an ocean
Of benevolence is your mind.
No payback to your compassionate
Mercy; thus take back myself!

Also, read an insightful take on the Galician poet, Rosalía de Castro, written by Leyre Villate Garcia, and published in The Antonym. 

Rosalía de Castro— Leyre Villate Garcia

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