in Sanskrit
a poet can write
a palindromic
poem of eight
lines
readable horizontally
and
vertically a poet can also
write lines
that can be read
forwards and
backwards, or
lines in
which word breaks
change
meanings of the syntax
सकारनानारकास-
कायसाददसायका
रसाहवा वाहसार-
नादवाददवादना.
(नादवाददवादना
रसाहवावाहसार
कायसाददसायका
सकारनानारकास)
sa-kA-ra-nA-nA-ra-kA-sa-
kA-ya-sA-da-da-sA-ya-kA
ra-sA-ha-vA vA-ha-sA-ra-
nA-da-vA-da-da-vA-da-nA.
(nA da vA da da vA da nA
ra sA ha vA vA ha sA ra
kA ya sA da da sA ya kA
sa kA ra nA nA ra kA sa)
you can’t do
this in English
the vowels
are too rare
consonants
too concentrated
our roots
all over the place
the palace
is full of roots
concentrate
congeals the floor
the mare’s
jowls are too long
English
words just won’t do it
Quite interesting to know that. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSanskrit is a language influential to so many existing languages. My native language, Capampangan on Luzon Island, the Philippines, has Sanskrit as one of its biggest sources, along with Chinese and Spanish. Most South-east and South Asian Languages are based on Sanskrit.
DeleteThat's one of the reasons why I started learning Sanskrit. It is hugely challenging.
DeleteI like the information this poem gives me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
ReplyDeletefascinating, Susan. My mind boggles at the thought of how much suppleness a language can produce...
ReplyDeleteEfi, there is much more possible in Sanskrit poetry. But most of it is thoroughly untranslatable. It's like looking at a work of conceptual art. Perhaps another poem in that thought!!
ReplyDelete