Foolish Beggar

My soul, oh … you fool!
Can you carry yourself on your own shoulders?

My self, oh … you beggar!
Do you beg at your own door-step?

Cast your weight on his hands
for he can, and he will, bear all,
and never look behind in regret.

Your desire at once puts out
the light from the lamp
it touches with its breath.

Take not your gifts
with your unholy unclean hands
accepting only what is offered
by him, the sacred love.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 09

Henry Victor          21.09.2012