Winnow, winnow!
Look here, fellows
winnow when the wind blows.
Remember, the winds
are not in your hands,
Remember, you cannot say
I'll winnow, I'll winnow
tomorrow.
When the winds of the Lord's grace
lash,
quickly, quickly winnow, winnow,
said our Chowdaiah of the Ferrymen.*
*Grace can not be called, recalled, or commanded. Be prepared to catch It as It passes.
--CHOWDAIAH OF THE FERRYMEN [Translated by A. K. Ramanujan in the book - Speaking of Siva]
See-saw watermills bow their heads.
So what?
Do they get to be devotees
to the Master?
The tongs join hands.
So what?
Can they be humble in service
to the Lord?
Parrots recite.
So what?
Can they read the Lord?
How can the slaves of the Bodiless God,
Desire,
know the way
our Lord's Men move
or the stance of their standing?*
*a rejection of orthodox ritual genuflections & recitations
-- BASAVAŅŅA [Translated by A. K. Ramanujan in the book - Speaking of Siva]
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