1326. Working in between

நடுமரம் வேரும் அறியாது கொம்பும்அறியாது தாங்கும் அழகு

nadumaram verum ariyaadhu kombumariyaadhu thaangum azhaku

The trunk in the middle does not know its root, does not know its branch; it bears, and the bearing is the beauty.

1327. Unfinished business persists

கணக்குமுடித் தாள்தூங்கும் முற்றாக் கணக்கோகணக்காய் விழிக்கும் இரவு

kanakkumudidh thaalthoongum mutraak kanakkokanakkaai vizhikkum iravu

The woman who has finished her accounts sleeps; the account she left unfinished sits up with the night, keeping exact account.

1328. Work outlasts workers

நெய்தார் இறந்தார் நெடுந்தறியின் பாவிழையைவைத்தார் வழியே நடை

neythaar irandaar nedundariyin paavizhaiyaivaithaar vazhiye nadai

They wove; they died. The warp is set on the tall loom-post, and the path is walked as it was laid.

On a handloom, warp threads are laid by walking back and forth between tall posts, so the weaving has its own walked path.