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.

1258. Knowing after parting

கலமிறக்கி வைத்தநீர் கண்டறியா ஈரம்கலமெடுத்த பின்னறியும் கல்

kalamirakki vaithaneer kandariyaa eeramkalamedutha pinnariyum kal

A stone does not know the wetness of a water pot set down on it; when the pot is lifted, the stone knows.