Classic Poem

Before they returned from bathing the awe-inspiring drum
which hungers for blood and is decorated with golden shoots
of balloon vine and a garland the color of sapphire, fashioned
of long dense peacock feathers, their bright spots shining,
lending a glow to the dark wood of the drum's sides
where thongs cut lengthwise are tied without flaw, I
climbed up on its bed, all covered with flowers and as soft
as if a froth of sesame oil had been spread over it.
You turned away the edge of your sword that would have,
had you been enraged, cut me in two! That was enough in itself
for all the fine Tamil people to know! But you did even more!
You approached me and raised your strong arm
big around as a concert drum and fanned me to keep me cool!
Is it because you have clearly heard that only for those
who gain fame in this world, making it spread far and wide,
can there be a place there, in the world
of exalted existence, victorious hero? Is that why you just did this?