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A.Word.A.Day--collyrium

collyrium (kuh-LIR-ee-ehm) noun, plural collyria or collyriums

An eye-salve or eyewash.

[From Latin, from Greek kollurion (eye-salve), diminutive of kollura (roll of bread).]

"Kabir, in my eyes reddened by love
How can collyrium be applied?*
Within them dwells my Beloved,
Where is the place for anything else?"
"(* Kajal, a type of lamp soot that is applied to the eyes by Indian women for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. When the eyes are inflamed or red, its use is given up until they become normal.)"
Kabir (15th century), translated by V.K. Sethi in "Kabir, The Weaver of God's Name", 1994.

This week's theme: words from poetry.

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