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                   POEM OF THE DAY (Issue 10)
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--- Monday, October 14, 2002
 
Translation - Art of Love (Ovid)

Introduction - part 1

If any out there not know the Art of Love
This he should read, and having read, love.
  By art ships are sailed, and chariots driven
  By art, so too, will Love be given.
For chariots, Automedon excelled all others
On the sea, Tipos commanded his rudders.
  Of tender Love, Venus has made me master
  Tipos and Automedon could go no faster.
He, indeed, is wild and against me fights
But he is young, a boy, so easy to right.

--- Tuesday, October 15, 2002
 
Translation - Art of Love (Ovid)

Introduction - part 2

  Chiron once taught Achilles to strum the lyre
  So with peaceful art doused a savage fire.
He who so often had frighted friends and foes
Before this old man he bowed till his toes.
  Those same hands that beat Hector around the head
  Here he laid out to be punished with lead.
Alcides too, Chiron taught to toot the horn
Each a savage boy, each of goddess born.
  Indeed, the bull's neck must suffer the yoke
  And even the wild steed can be brought to choke.
So wlll Love yield so completely to me
Though he shoot me with arrows till I bleeding be.

--- Wednesday, October 16, 2002
 
Bhagavad Gita - Translation

Chapter 1: verses 1-5

Dhatastra said:
In the field of virtue, in the Kuru field
When gathered together their arms to wield
My people against the Pandu sons
What did they, Sanjaya, how many runs?

Sanjaya said:
Seeing the Pandava army fully arrayed
Your son, Duryodhana, became dismayed.
To his master, Drona, he then drew close
And these words from his throat he rose:

See! Master, all these men in line
Their swords out, how their shields shine!
All commanded by Drapuda's son
Of your once students he is one.

Here are heroes and archers long
Arjuna and Bhima both quite strong.
Virata and Yoyodhana are near allied
And old Drapuda whose chariot rides.

Taketsu and Kitana and the Kasi King
All valorous, and their blades can sing.
Purujat and Bhoja both know their ken
Not forgetting Subiya, the bull amongst men.

--- Thursday, October 17, 2002
 
Bhagavad Gita - Translation 

Chapter 1: verses 6-10

Our men, indeed, are distinguished true
Though, Master, you might ask who?
The strong leaders of this army I name
So all may know who plays this game!

There is Bhisma, the Dreadful, and Karna the Tall
And bold Kripa, victorious in battles all! 
Avatta, horse-strong, and Vikana without ears
And first son of Soma, the equal of seers!

Many others, too, have padded up
Ready to risk their lives in rough.
Varied weapons for throwing and striking
But all skilled in the art of fighting.

Yet still I deem our forces unequal
To prevent a most unhappy sequel.
Yet so long as Bhisma is there to lead
We have faith enough to force the deed.

So in all movements, and all around
In the air, and along the ground
You Lords and Warriors, take great care
That our great Bhisma is protected there!

--- Friday, October 18, 2002
 
Some say high, & some say low
There, on the tormented, midnight sea.
I am the Beacon, the dreamy Speaker
Rise, & follow me.

The squeak of chairs, a floor without carpet
The sunlight, muttering through.
Bridges & cranes, chimney pots, canals
This is London, my London.

I would howl, & stare into chasms of space
Howl, through my broken teeth.
On the street, three cars inert sit
I think I will sit myself too.