Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Sarojini Naidu
- poems -
Publication Date:
2012
Publisher:
PoemHunter.Com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
GossewhoconvincedSarojinitosticktoIndianthemes-India'sgreat
mountains,rivers,temples,socialmilieu,toexpressherpoetry.Shedepicted
contemporaryIndianlifeandevents.Hercollections"Thegoldenthreshold
(1905)","Thebirdoftime(1912)",and"Thebrokenwing(1912)"attracted
hugeIndianandEnglishreadership.
LoveandMarry
DuringherstayinEngland,SarojinimetDr.GovindarajuluNaidu,a
non-Brahminandadoctorbyprofession,andfellinlovewithhim.After
finishingherstudiesattheageof19,shegotmarriedtohimduringthetime
wheninter-castemarriageswerenotallowed.Herfatherwasaprogressive
thinkingperson,andhedidnotcarewhatotherssaid.Hermarriagewasa
veryhappyone.
Works
Hermajorcontributionwasalsointhefieldofpoetry.Herpoetryhad
beautifulwordsthatcouldalsobesung.Soonshegotrecognitionasthe"Bul
BuleHind"whenhercollectionofpoemswaspublishedin1905underthe
titleGoldenThreshold.Afterthat,shepublishedtwoothercollectionsof
poems--TheBirdofTimeandTheBrokenWings.In1918,FeastofYouthwas
published.Later,TheMagicTree,TheWizardMaskandATreasuryofPoems
werepublished.MahashreeArvind,RabindranathTagoreandJawaharlal
Nehruwereamongthethousandsofadmirersofherwork.Herpoemshad
Englishwords,butanIndiansoul.
Politics
OnedayshemetShreeGopalKrishnaGokhale.Hesaidtohertouseher
poetryandherbeautifulwordstorejuvenatethespiritofIndependencein
theheartsofvillagers.HeaskedhertousehertalenttofreeMotherIndia.
Thenin1916,shemetMahatmaGandhi,andshetotallydirectedherenergy
tothefightforfreedom.Shewouldroamaroundthecountrylikeageneral
ofthearmyandpourenthusiasmamongtheheartsofIndians.The
independenceofIndiabecametheheartandsoulofherwork.
ShewasresponsibleforawakeningthewomenofIndia.Shebroughtthem
outofthekitchen.Shetraveledfromstatetostate,cityaftercityandasked
fortherightsofthewomen.Shere-establishedself-esteemwithinthe
womenofIndia.
In1925,shechairedthesummitofCongressinKanpur.In1928,shecame
totheUSAwiththemessageofthenon-violencemovementfromGandhiji.
Whenin1930,Gandhijiwasarrestedforaprotest,shetookthehelmsofhis
movement.In1931,sheparticipatedintheRoundTableSummit,alongwith
GandhijiandPunditMalaviyaji.In1942,shewasarrestedduringthe"Quit
India"protestandstayedinjailfor21monthswithGandhiji.
AfterindependenceshebecametheGovernorofUttarPradesh.Shewasthe
firstwomangovernorinIndia.
Works:
TheGoldenThreshold,publishedintheUnitedKingdom,1905
TheBirdofTime:SongsofLife,Death&theSpring,publishedinLondon,
1912
TheBrokenWing:SongsofLove,DeathandtheSpring,including"TheGift
ofIndia"(firstreadinpublicin1915),1917
MuhammadJinnah:AnAmbassadorofUnity,1916
TheSceptredFlute:SongsofIndia,Allahabad:Kitabistan,posthumously
published,1943
TheFeatheroftheDawn,posthumouslypublished,editedbyherdaughter,
PadmajaNaidu,1961
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
Alabaster
LIKEthisalabasterboxwhoseart
Isfrailasacassia-flower,ismyheart,
Carvenwithdelicatedreamsandwrought
Withmanyasubtleandexquisitethought.
ThereinItreasurethespiceandscent
Ofrichandpassionatememoriesblent
Likeodoursofcinnamon,sandalandclove,
Ofsongandsorrowandlifeandlove.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
Autumn Song
Likeajoyontheheartofasorrow,
Thesunsethangsonacloud;
Agoldenstormofglitteringsheaves,
Offairandfrailandflutteringleaves,
Thewildwindblowsinacloud.
Harktoavoicethatiscalling
Tomyheartinthevoiceofthewind:
Myheartiswearyandsadandalone,
Foritsdreamsliketheflutteringleaveshavegone,
AndwhyshouldIstaybehind?
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
Corn Grinders
Olittlemouse,whydostthoucry
Whilemerrystarslaughinthesky?
Alas!alas!mylordisdead!
Ah,whowilleasemybitterpain?
Hewenttoseekamillet-grain
Intherichfarmer'sgranaryshed;
Theycaughthiminabaitedsnare,
Andslewmyloverunaware:
Alas!alas!mylordisdead.
Olittledeer,whydostthoumoan,
Hidinthyforest-boweralone?
Alas!alas!mylordisdead!
Ah!whowillquietmylament?
Atfallofeventidehewent
Todrinkbesidetheriver-head;
Awaitinghunterthrewhisdart,
Andstruckmyloverthroughtheheart.
Alas!alas!mylordisdead.
Olittlebride,whydostthouweep
Withallthehappyworldasleep?
Alas!alas!mylordisdead!
Ah,whowillstaythesehungrytears,
Orstillthewantoffamishedyears,
Andcrownwithlovemymarriage-bed?
Mysoulburnswiththequenchlessfire
Thatlitmylover'sfuneralpyre:
Alas!alas!mylordisdead.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
Coromandel Fishers
Rise,brothers,rise;thewakeningskiespraytothemorninglight,
Thewindliesasleepinthearmsofthedawnlikeachildthathascriedallnight.
Come,letusgatherournetsfromtheshoreandsetourcatamaransfree,
Tocapturetheleapingwealthofthetide,forwearethekingsofthesea!
Nolongerdelay,letushastenawayinthetrackoftheseagull'scall,
Theseaisourmother,thecloudisourbrother,thewavesareourcomradesall.
Whatthoughwetossatthefallofthesunwherethehandofthesea-goddrives?
Hewhoholdsthestormbythehair,willhideinhisbreastourlives.
Sweetistheshadeofthecocoanutglade,andthescentofthemangogrove,
Andsweetarethesandsatthefullo'themoonwiththesoundofthevoiceswelove;
Butsweeter,Obrothers,thekissofthesprayandthedanceofthewildfoam'sglee;
Row,brothers,rowtotheedgeoftheverge,wherethelowskymateswiththesea.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
10
Cradle Song
FROMgrovesofspice,
O'erfieldsofrice,
Athwartthelotus-stream,
Ibringforyou,
Aglintwithdew
Alittlelovelydream.
Sweet,shutyoureyes,
Thewildfire-fiies
Dancethroughthefairyneem;
Fromthepoppy-bole
ForyouIstole
Alittlelovelydream.
Deareyes,good-night,
Ingoldenlight
Thestarsaroundyougleam;
OnyouIpress
Withsoftcaress
Alittlelovelydream.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
11
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
12
Ecstasy
Covermineeyes,OmyLove!
Mineeyesthatarewearyofbliss
Asoflightthatispoignantandstrong
Osilencemylipswithakiss,
Mylipsthatarewearyofsong!
Sheltermysoul,Omylove!
Mysoulisbentlowwiththepain
Andtheburdenoflove,likethegrace
Ofaflowerthatissmittenwithrain:
Osheltermysoulfromthyface!
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
13
Harvest Hymn
MensVoices:
LORDofthelotus,lordoftheharvest,
Brightandmunificentlordofthemorn!
Thineisthebountythatprosperedoursowing,
Thineisthebountythatnurturedourcorn.
Webringtheeoursongsandourgarlandsfortribute,
Thegoldofourfieldsandthegoldofourfruit;
Ogiverofmellowingradiance,wehailthee,
Wepraisethee,OSurya,withcymbalandflute.
Lordoftherainbow,lordoftheharvest,
Greatandbeneficentlordofthemain!
Thineisthemercythatcherishedourfurrows,
Thineisthemercythatfosteredourgrain.
Webringtheeourthanksandourgarlandsfortribute,
Thewealthofourvalleys,new-garneredandripe;
Osenderofrainandthedewfall,wehailthee,
Wepraisethee,Varuna,withcymbalandpipe.
WomensVoices:
Queenofthegourd-flower,queenofthehar-vest,
Sweetandomnipotentmother,OEarth!
Thineistheplentifulbosomthatfeedsus,
Thineisthewombwhereourricheshavebirth.
Webringtheeourloveandourgarlandsfortribute,
Withgiftsofthyopulentgivingwecome;
Osourceofourmanifoldgladness,wehailthee,
Wepraisethee,OPrithvi,withcymbalanddrum.
AllVoices:
LordoftheUniverse,Lordofourbeing,
Fathereternal,ineffableOm!
ThouarttheSeedandtheScytheofourharvests,
ThouartourHandsandourHeartandourHome.
Webringtheeourlivesandourlaboursfortribute,
Grantusthysuccour,thycounsel,thycare.
OLifeofalllifeandallblessing,wehailthee,
Wepraisethee,OBramha,withcymbalandprayer
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
14
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
15
In Praise Of Henna
AKOKILAcalledfromahenna-spray:
Lira!liree!Lira!liree!
Hasten,maidens,hastenaway
Togathertheleavesofthehenna-tree.
Sendyourpitchersafloatonthetide,
Gathertheleaveserethedawnbeold,
Grindtheminmortarsofamberandgold,
Thefreshgreenleavesofthehenna-tree.
Akokilacalledfromahenna-spray:
Lira!liree!Lira!liree!
Hastenmaidens,hastenaway
Togathertheleavesofthehenna-tree.
Thetilka'sredforthebrowofabride,
Andbetel-nut'sredforlipsthataresweet;
But,forlily-likefingersandfeet,
Thered,theredofthehenna-tree.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
16
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
17
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
18
In The Forest
HERE,Omyheart,letusburnthedeardreamsthataredead,
Hereinthiswoodletusfashionafuneralpyre
Offallenwhitepetalsandleavesthataremellowandred,
Hereletusburntheminnoon'sflamingtorchesoffire.
Weareweary,myheart,weareweary,solongwehaveborne
Theheavylovedburdenofdreamsthataredead,letusrest,
Letusscattertheirashesaway,forawhileletusmourn;
Wewillrest,Omyheart,tilltheshadowsaregrayinthewest.
Butsoonwemustrise,Omyheart,wemustwanderagain
Intothewaroftheworldandthestrifeofthethrong;
Letusrise,Omyheart,letusgatherthedreamsthatremain,
Wewillconquerthesorrowoflifewiththesorrowofsong.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
19
Indian Dancer
EYESravishedwithrapture,celestiallypanting,whatpassionatebosomsaflamingwith
fire
Drinkdeepofthehushofthehyacinthheavensthatglimmeraroundtheminfountains
oflight;
Owildandentrancingthestrainofkeenmusicthatcleaveththestarslikeawailof
desire,
Andbeautifuldancerswithhouri-likefacesbewitchthevoluptuouswatchesofnight.
Thescentsofredrosesandsandalwoodflutteranddieinthemazeoftheir
gem-tangledhair,
Andsmilesareentwininglikemagicalserpentsthepoppiesoflipsthatare
opiate-sweet;
Theirglitteringgarmentsofpurpleareburningliketremulousdawnsinthequivering
air,
Andexquisite,subtleandslowarethetinkleandtreadoftheirrhythmical,
slumber-softfeet.
Nowsilent,nowsingingandswayingandswinging,likeblossomsthatbendtothe
breezesorshowers,
Nowwantonlywinding,theyflash,nowtheyfalter,and,lingering,languishinradiant
choir;
Theirjewel-girtarmsandwarm,wavering,lily-longfingersenchantthroughmelodious
hours,
Eyesravishedwithrapture,celestiallypanting,whatpassionatebosomsaflamingwith
fire!
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
20
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
21
Indian Weavers
WEAVERS,weavingatbreakofday,
Whydoyouweaveagarmentsogay?...
Blueasthewingofahalcyonwild,
Weweavetherobesofanew-bornchild.
Weavers,weavingatfallofnight,
Whydoyouweaveagarmentsobright?...
Liketheplumesofapeacock,purpleandgreen,
Weweavethemarriage-veilsofaqueen.
Weavers,weavingsolemnandstill,
Whatdoyouweaveinthemoonlightchill?...
Whiteasafeatherandwhiteasacloud,
Weweaveadeadman'sfuneralshroud.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
22
Leili
Theserpentsareasleepamongthepoppies,
Thefireflieslightthesoundlesspanther'sway
Totangledpathswhereshygazellesarestraying,
Andparrot-plumesoutshinethedyingday.
Osoft!thelotus-budsuponthestream
Arestirringlikesweetmaidenswhentheydream.
Acaste-markontheazurebrowsofHeaven,
Thegoldenmoonburnssacred,solemn,bright
Thewindsaredancingintheforest-temple,
AndswooningattheholyfeetofNight.
Hush!inthesilencemysticvoicessing
Andmakethegodstheirincense-offering.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
23
Life
CHILDREN,yehavenotlived,toyouitseems
Lifeisalovelystalactiteofdreams,
Orcarnivalofcarelessjoysthatleap
Aboutyourheartslikebillowsonthedeep
Inflamesofamberandofamethyst.
Children,yehavenotlived,yebutexist
Tillsomeresistlesshourshallriseandmove
Yourheartstowakeandhungerafterlove,
Andthirstwithpassionatelongingforthethings
Thatburnyourbrowswithblood-redsufferings.
Tillyehavebattledwithgreatgriefandfears,
Andbornetheconflictofdream-shatteringyears,
Woundedwithfiercedesireandwornwithstrife,
Children,yehavenotlived:forthisislife.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
24
My Dead Dream
HAVEYOUfoundme,atlast,OmyDream?Seveneonsago
YoudiedandIburiedyoudeepunderforestsofsnow.
Whyhaveyoucomehither?Whobadeyouawakefromyoursleep
Andtrackmebeyondtheceruleanfoamofthedeep?
Wouldyoutearfrommylintelsthesesacredgreengarlandsofleaves?
Wouldyouscarethewhite,nested,wildpigeonsofjoyfrommyeaves?
Wouldyoutouchanddefilewithdeadfingerstherobesofmypriest?
Wouldyouweaveyourdimmoanwiththechantingsofloveatmyfeast?
Gobacktoyourgrave,OmyDream,underforestsofsnow,
Whereaheart-rivenchildhidyouonce,seveneonsago.
Whobadeyouarisefromyourdarkness?Ibidyoudepart!
ProfanenottheshrinesIhaveraisedinthecleftsofmyheart.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
25
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
26
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
27
Palanquin Bearers
Lightly,Olightlywebearheralong,
Sheswayslikeaflowerinthewindofoursong;
Sheskimslikeabirdonthefoamofastream,
Shefloatslikealaughfromthelipsofadream.
Gaily,Ogailyweglideandwesing,
Webearheralonglikeapearlonastring.
Softly,Osoftlywebearheralong,
Shehangslikeastarinthedewofoursong;
Shespringslikeabeamonthebrowofthetide,
Shefallslikeatearfromtheeyesofabride.
Lightly,Olightlyweglideandwesing,
Webearheralonglikeapearlonastring.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
28
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
29
Song Of A Dream
ONCEinthedreamofanightIstood
Loneinthelightofamagicalwood,
Soul-deepinvisionsthatpoppy-likesprang;
AndspiritsofTruthwerethebirdsthatsang,
AndspiritsofLovewerethestarsthatglowed,
AndspiritsofPeacewerethestreamsthatflowed
Inthatmagicalwoodinthelandofsleep.
Loneinthelightofthatmagicalgrove,
IfeltthestarsofthespiritsofLove
Gatherandgleamroundmydelicateyouth,
AndIheardthesongofthespiritsofTruth;
ToquenchmylongingIbentmelow
BythestreamsofthespiritsofPeacethatflow
Inthatmagicalwoodinthelandofsleep.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
30
Street Cries
WHENdawn'sfirstcymbalsbeatuponthesky,
Rousingtheworldtolabour'svariouscry,
Totendtheflock,tobindthemellowinggrain,
Fromardenttoiltoforgealittlegain,
Andfastingmengoforthonhurryingfeet,
Buybread,buybread,ringsdowntheeagerstreet.
Whentheearthfaltersandthewatersswoon
Withtheimplacableradianceofnoon,
Andindimshelterskolshushtheirnotes,
Andthefaint,thirstingbloodinlanguidthroats
Cravesliquidsuccourfromthecruelheat,
Buyfruit,buyfruit,stealsdownthepantingstreet.
Whentwilighttwinklingo'erthegaybazaars,
Unfurlsasuddencanopyofstars,
Whenlutesarestrungandfragranttorcheslit
Onwhiteroof-terraceswhereloverssit
Drinkingtogetheroflife'spoignantsweet,
Buyflowers,buyflowers,floatsdownthesingingstreet.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
31
Suttee
LAMPofmylife,thelipsofDeath
Hathblowntheeoutwiththeirsuddenbreath;
Naughtshallrevivethyvanishedspark...
Love,mustIdwellinthelivingdark?
Treeofmylife,Death'scruelfoot
Hathcrushedtheedowntothyhiddenroot;
Noughtshallrestorethygloryfled...
Shalltheblossomlivewhenthetreeisdead?
Lifeofmylife,Death'sbittersword
Hathsevereduslikeabrokenword,
Rentusintwainwhoarebutone..
Shallthefleshsurvivewhenthesoulisgone?
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
32
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
33
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
34
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
35
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
36
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
37
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
38
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
39
40
LikesevenbrightpetalsofBeauty'sflower
QueenGulnaarsighedlikeamurmuringrose
"Whereismyrival,OKingFeroz?"
III
Whenspringwindswakenedthemountainfloods,
Andkindledtheflameofthetulipbuds,
Whenbeesgrewloudandthedaysgrewlong,
Andthepeachgrovesthrilledtotheoriole'ssong,
QueenGulnaarsatonherivorybed,
Deckingwithjewelsherexquisitehead;
Andstillshegazedinhermirrorandsighed:
"OKing,myheartisunsatisfied."
QueenGulnsar'sdaughtertwospringtimesold,
Inbluerobesborderedwithtasselsofgold,
Rantoherkneelikeawildwoodfay,
Andpluckedfromherhandthemirroraway.
Quicklyshesetonherownlightcurls
Hermother'sfilletwithfringesofpearls;
Quicklysheturnedwithachild'scaprice
Andpressedonthemirroraswift,gladkiss.
QueenGulnaarlaughedlikeatremulousrose:
"Hereismyrival,OKingFeroz."
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
41
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
42
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
43
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
44
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
45
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
46
To India
OYOUNGthroughallthyimmemorialyears!
Rise,Mother,rise,regeneratefromthygloom,
And,likeabridehigh-matedwiththespheres,
Begetnewgloriesfromthineagelesswomb!
Thenationsthatinfettereddarknessweep
Cravetheetoleadthemwheregreatmorningsbreak....
Mother,OMother,whereforedostthousleep?
Ariseandanswerforthychildren'ssake!
ThyFuturecallstheewithamanifoldsound
Tocrescenthonours,splendours,victoriesvast;
Waken,OslumberingMotherandbecrowned,
WhooncewertempressofthesovereignPast.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
47
To My Children
JayaSurya
GOLDENsunofvictory,born
Inmylife'suncloudedmorn,
Inmylambentskyoflove,
Mayyourgrowinggloryprove
Sacredtoyourconsecration,
Tomyheartandtomynation.
Sunofvictory,mayyoube
Sunofsongandliberty.
Padmaja
Lotus-maiden,youwhoclaim
Allthesweetnessofyourname,
Lakshmi,fortune'squeen,defendyou,
Lotus-bornlikeyou,andsendyou
Balmymoonsoflovetoblessyou,
Gentlejoy-windstocaressyou.
Lotus-maiden,mayyoube
Fragrantofallecstasy.
Ranadheera
Littlelordofbattle,hail
Inyournewly-temperedmail!
Learntoconquer,learntofight
Intheforemostflanksofright,
LikeValmiki'sheroesbold,
Rubiesgirtinepicgold.
Lordofbattle,mayyoube,
Lordofloveandchivalry.
Lilamani
Limpidjewelofdelight
Severedfromthetendernight
Ofyourshelteringmother-mine,
Leapandsparkle,danceandshine,
Blithelyandsecurelyset
Inlove'smagiccoronet.
Livingjewel,mayyoube
Laughter-boundandsorrow-free.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
48
To My Fairy Fancies
NAY,nolongerImayholdyou,
Inmyspirit'ssoftcaresses,
Norlikelotus-leavesenfoldyou
Inthetanglesofmytresses.
Fairyfancies,flyaway
Tothewhitecloud-wildernesses,
Flyaway!
Nay,nolongeryemaylinger
Withyourlaughter-lightedfaces,
NowIamathought-wornsinger
Inlife'shighandlonelyplaces.
Fairyfancies,flyaway,
Tobrightwind-inwovenspaces,
Flyaway!
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
49
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
50
To Youth
OYOUTH,sweetcomradeYouth,wouldstthoubegone?
Longhavewedwelttogether,thouandI;
Togetherdrunkofmanyanaliendawn,
Andpluckedthefruitofmanyanaliensky.
Ah,ficklefriend,mustI,whoyesterday
Dreamedforwardstolong,undimmedecstasy,
Henceforwarddream,becausethouwiltnotstay,
Backwardtotransientpleasureandtothee?
Igivetheebackthyfalse,ephemeralvow;
But,Obelovedcomrade,erewepart,
Uponmymournfuleyelidsandmybrow
Kissmewhoholdthineimageinmyheart.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
51
Transcience
Nay,donotgrievetho'lifebefullofsadness,
Dawnwillnotveilherspleandorforyourgrief,
Norspringdenytheirbright,appointedbeauty
Tolotusblossomandashokaleaf.
Nay,donotpine,tho'lifebedarkwithtrouble,
Timewillnotpauseortarryonhisway;
To-daythatseemssolong,sostrange,sobitter,
Willsoonbesomeforgottenyesterday.
Nay,donotweep;newhopes,newdreams,newfaces,
Theunspentjoyofalltheunbornyears,
Willproveyourheartatraitortoitssorrow,
Andmakeyoureyesunfaithfultotheirtears.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
52
Village Song
HONEY,child,honey,child,whitherareyougoing?
Wouldyoucastyourjewelsalltothebreezesblowing?
Wouldyouleavethemotherwhoongoldengrainhasfedyou?
Wouldyougrievetheloverwhoisridingforthtowedyou?
Mothermine,tothewildforestIamgoing,
Whereuponthechampaboughsthechampabudsareblowing;
Tothekil-hauntedriver-isleswherelotusliliesglisten,
Thevoicesofthefairyfolkarecallingme:Olisten!
Honey,child,honey,child,theworldisfullofpleasure,
Ofbridal-songsandcradle-songsandsandal-scentedleisure.
Yourbridalrobesareintheloom,silverandsaffronglowing,
Yourbridalcakesareonthehearth:Owhitherareyougoing?
Thebridal-songsandcradle-songshavecadencesofsorrow,
Thelaughterofthesunto-day,thewindofdeathto-morrow.
Farsweetersoundtheforest-noteswhereforest-streamsarefalling;
Omothermine,Icannotstay,thefairy-folkarecalling.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
53
Wandering Singers
WHEREthevoiceofthewindcallsourwanderingfeet,
Throughechoingforestandechoingstreet,
Withlutesinourhandsever-singingweroam,
Allmenareourkindred,theworldisourhome.
Ourlaysareofcitieswhoselustreisshed,
Thelaughterandbeautyofwomenlongdead;
Theswordofoldbattles,thecrownofoldkings,
Andhappyandsimpleandsorrowfulthings.
Whathopeshallwegather,whatdreamsshallwesow?
Wherethewindcallsourwanderingfootstepswego.
Nolovebidsustarry,nojoybidsuswait:
Thevoiceofthewindisthevoiceofourfate.
SarojiniNaidu
www.PoemHunter.com-TheWorld'sPoetryArchive
54