1256. Time stands still

கோல்நின்ற வண்ணமே நின்றும் நிழல்நீளும்நாள்நின்ற வண்ணம் பிரிவு

kolnindra vanname nindrum nizhalneelumnaalnindra vannam pirivu

A staff stands just as it stood, yet its shadow lengthens; the day stands just as still, and separation lengthens.

1257. Closeness becomes a question

என்னுள் அவன்கலந்தான் என்றிருந்தேன் போயபின்என்னுள் எவனென்னும் நோய்

ennul avankalandaan endrirunden poyapinennul evanennum noy

I believed he had mingled within me; now he is gone, and within me a sickness keeps asking, ‘Who, or what, is in me?’

The sickness is lovesickness. Where he seemed to dwell, it now asks what, if anything, is there.