To us all towns are one

To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from others' gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pains' relief are from within. 
Death's no new thing; nor do our bosoms thrill
When Joyous life seems like a luscious draught. 
When grieved, we patient suffer; for, we deem
This much - praised life of ours a fragile raft 
Borne down the waters of some mountain stream
That o'er huge boulders roaring seeks the plain 
Tho' storms with lightnings' flash from darken'd skies
Descend, the raft goes on as fates ordain. 
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise ! -
We marvel not at greatness of the great;
Still less despise we men of low estate.

Kanniyan Poongundran in Purananuru,

Poem 192 - written in Tamil 2500 years ago

Translated by Rev. G.U.Pope

(Picture: Bluebonnet landscape with catci road and mountain laurel, Robert Julian Onderdonk)