The Lotus Red Poem by Ravikumar C.P.

Kannada Poem by M. Gopalakrishna Adiga
Translated by C.P. Ravikumar

A bright red lotus has bloomed today
To passers-by, what a fragrant Entree!
The wind, the bees, or the gentle spray:
Who needs an invitation to a party, eh?
The water trembled gleefully,
Tickled by the golden rays.
In how many ways do I love thee?
The bee's busy counting the ways...

The lotus blushed;
And turned scarlet in face:
Look! His chariot of seven horses
Races through the eastern sky-ways...

In every one of his million hands
He carries a tangled web of love.
The lotus was charmed. The buzzing of the bees
Waned; it seemed pale somehow.

She ignores the bees around
And waits for the sun, my lotus red.
What form will tomorrow's dream assume?
Will he be there, the heavenly groom?