To Read

I am here to read you my poems, and in your hall
I have a corner seat, and in your world
I have no work to do, and my useless life breaks
into rhyme and rhythm without a purpose!

For your silent worship in the dark temple of midnight
command me to stand before you to read a poem
and honour me demanding my presence in the morning
when the golden harp is tuned.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 15

Henry Victor 05.01.2013

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

Shrinking Ego

Shrink my bloated ego, make me small
that I may make your being larger.
Let only a fraction of my megalomaniac self
be left that I may never hide you in my being.

Let my will shrivel and remain tiny
that I may feel you on all sides
coming to you always for all my needs
and offer my love constantly to you.

Let only those little fetters that bind
me with your will be left
so that your resolve is carried out in my life
and these are the restraints of your love.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 34

Henry Victor          05.10.2012

The Little Self

I came out alone to meet you;
but another in the silent dark follows
me despite my move aside to avoid
his presence and I escape him not.

He is, my own little self, my ego
making dust rise from the earth
with his conceit, adding his loud voice
to every word that I utter.

My own little self, actually my lord
knows no shame; but I am ashamed
to come knocking on your door
to meet you in his company.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 30

Henry Victor          03.10.2012