Legitimate

The market day is over and work is all done
and those who came to call me have all gone
back in vain but with anger, and people blame
me and call me reckless, and they are right!

The reason for my delay is my waiting to give myself
into his hands for love, and they come with their laws
and codes to bind me, and I am guilty but I evade
for I am waiting to give myself into his hands for love!

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 17

Henry Victor 05.01.2013

Inconsistent

Hindrances in life are stubborn, and my heart aches
as I struggle to break these limitations; to hope
for freedom I need most I feel ashamed!

You, my friend, is a priceless wealth
but I have not the heart to sweep away the tinsel
filling my room; likewise I hate the shroud, the death
and the dust covering me, yet I cling to it with love!

My debts are huge, my failures great, and my shame

secret and heavy; but as I turn to you for my good
I tremble in case my plea is granted, and change expected!

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 28

Henry Victor          04.01.2013

Elude Me Not

In the dark rainy July with invisible steps

you walk silent like night eluding all watchers!

And today the morning has closed
its eyes unmindful of the resolute calls
of the east wind and a thick veil is drawn
over the ever-wakeful blue sky.

The woodlands too have silenced their songs

and doors of all the houses are shut
while you, my only friend, a solitary wayfarer
is in the street completely deserted.
 
My beloved the gates are open in my house;
so do not pass by my home like a dream!

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 22

Henry Victor          02.01.2013

Parched By Pain

My heart is scorched, parched by pain

of many days; for your grace, the rain
is held back from this horizon fiercely naked
not even with the thinnest cover of a soft cloud.

I see not the vaguest hint of a distant cool shower;

so please, if it is your will and your wish,
send your angry storm, dark with death and lashes
of lightning, startling thoroughly the sky of my soul.

But call back this pervading silent heat, stagnant

and zealously cruel, burning my heart with dire despair
as on the day of my father’s wrath; so let the cloud
of grace bend low like the tearful look of my mother.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 40

Henry Victor          01.01.2013

Rising and Falling

In the dusk of gleams and glimpses she remained

in the depth of my being never opening her veils
in the morning light, and she, folded in my final
song, will be my last gift to you, my God!

Though words have wooed, yet failed to win her
with persuasion stretching its eager arms in vain.
I have roamed from country to country keeping her in
the cave of my heart and around her I have risen and fallen.

She reigned over my thoughts and actions
my slumbers and dreams though dwelling alone
and apart while many have knocked at my door
and asked for her but turning away in despair.

There is none in the world who ever saw

her face to face as she remains
in her loneliness waiting
waiting to be recognised by you.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 66

Henry Victor          28.12.2012

 

Shadow of Death

My death, your servant, is knocking at my door

after crossing the deep sea to bring your call to my home!
Now the night is pitch dark and my heart is full of fear
yet, I will light the lamp and open my gate to honour him!

He is your messenger who stands at my door;

I will bow to him placing at his feet the treasures in my heart
for he will come back to you with his mission soon over
leaving only myself, my last offering to you in my home.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 86

Henry Victor          18.12.2012