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02/26/2004 Entry: "Funny things, memories."
The First Jasmines
Rabindranath Tagore
AH, these jasmines, these white jasmines!
I seem to remember the first day when I filled my hands
with these jasmines, these white jasmines.
I have loved the sunlight, the sky and the green earth;
I have heard the liquid murmur of the river
through the darkness of midnight;
Autumn sunsets have come to me at the bend of the road
in the lonely waste, like a bride raising her veil
to accept her lover.
Yet my memory is still sweet with the first white jasmines
that I held in my hands when I was a child.
Many a glad day has come in my life,
and I have laughed with merrymakers on festival nights.
On grey mornings of rain
I have crooned many an idle song.
I have worn round my neck the evening wreath of
BAKULAS woven by the hand of love.
Yet my heart is sweet with the memory of the first fresh jasmines
that filled my hands when I was a child.
Replies: 3 comments
This is the 3rd time now I've returned to read this poetry. I don't know why, but it touchs my crusty old heart. Thanks for the post... Larry
Posted by Larry @ 03/01/2004 08:07 PM GMT
You're welcome, Larry. If you want to read some more Rabindranath Tagore, go to:
http://www.schoolofwisdom.com/tagore-bio.html
There are some excerpts from Gitanjali, his greatest work, and a biography too. I'm a great admirer of his. It may not come through in his poetry, but he was a great scholar of the Indian nationalist movement, and I have a great affinity towards his beliefs upon education and the lifestyle of human beings. You can probably imagine that he wasn't a fan of Western consumerist decadence, and he dedicated much of his life to the establishment of places of learning in India which allowed for a spiritual, moral education.
Enjoy.
Posted by Mike @ 03/02/2004 03:28 PM GMT
Thank you Mike.
Posted by Larry @ 03/03/2004 08:49 AM GMT
