Akkamahadevi (12 CE)
Like an Elephant, Caught

Like an elephant, caught
when he strayed from the herd,
remembering his mountain range,
I remember.

Like a caged parrot
sighing over his mate,
I remember.
Come this way, my child,
call me thus,

O Chennamallikarjuna, my Lord,
and show me the grace of your ways!

Translated from the Kannada by B.C. Ramchandra Sharma