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

Rhythmic Rush

All things rush, stopping not

looking not behind, and no power
can hold them back, for they rush
with that rhythmic rush.

It is not beyond you to be glad
with the gladness of this rhythm
being tossed and lost and broken
in the flick of this fearful joy.

You keep steps with that restless rapid music

of seasons that come to dance and pass away
with colours, tunes, and perfumes pouring in endless
flows of joy scattering, dying every moment.
 

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 70

Henry Victor          22.12.2012

Songs of Separation

The pangs of separation ever melt and flow

into songs through my poetic heart, a home
for sufferings and joy; this overspreading pain
seeps from that deepened loves and desires.

The songs of separation spread in the world

giving birth to innumerable shapes in the sky
gazing in silence all nights from star to star
becoming lyric in rustling leaves in darkness.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 84

Henry Victor          14.12.2012

 

Love with Love

In my heart your joy overflows

into which you have made your home!
O Lord of all heavens, I wonder
if I were not, where your love would be!

You have taken me as your trusted partner

of all this wealth, all heavens and this earth
placing in my soul your joyful, endless play
and in my life is your will taking a solider shape.

For this you, the King of kings has come down

with all your splendour to captivate my mind
and for this your love loses in the love of your lover
with you becoming visible in that perfect union of two.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 56

Henry Victor          13.12.2012