The Song

I know not how you sing, my master.

The light of your music illumines the world

and the life breath of your music runs from sky
to sky with its holy stream breaking through stony
obstacles and rushes endlessly from heart to heart.

I forever listen in silent amazement as my heart

longs to join in your song, but vainly my soul
struggles for a voice, and then I try to speak
but speech breaks not into song, making me cry.

But you have made my heart captive

in meshes of your music, my master.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 03

Henry Victor          07.01.2013

 

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

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

 

Your Love

This golden light that dances on the leaves
these idle clouds sailing across the sky
and this passing breeze leaving its coolness
on my forehead are nothing but your love.

Oh my heart’s love, the morning light floods
my eyes with your message to my heart
and your face bends from above with your eyes
looking down on mine as my heart leaps to your feet.

Adopted from Tagore’s Gitanjali, poem 59

Henry Victor          04.10.2012