Old Tamil Poetry

Kalingathup Parani – 47

O Women! You who disrobe when alone
to savor the sight of your lover’s nail marks
on your breasts, like a pauper eyeing
his sudden fortune, open your doors.

முலைமீது கொழுநர்கைந் நகமேவு குறியை
முன்செல்வ மில்லாத அவர்பெற்ற பொருள்போல்
கலைநீவி யாரேனு மில்லாவி டத்தே
கண்ணுற்று நெஞ்சங்க ளிப்பீர்கள் திறமின்.

The poet asks the women who are resting after a night of passion to open their doors and hear the valor of their hero. A pauper who has suddenly gained a fortune cannot display it publicly. He will hide it but keep looking at it whenever he is alone. Similarly, women have to hide nail marks on their bosom. But whenever they are alone, they steal a glance at the marks that remind them of the pleasures of their night of passion.