ANEK KALER JATRA
A poem from Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali. Translated from from Bengali by Fakrul Alam.
When I set out on my travels
In a chariot at break of day,
I knew I had worlds to cross
And that eons before me lay.
Weaving through planets and stars
I traversed whole worlds.
Crossing mountains and forests
I left my mark along the way.
To come closest of all is to take
The route farthest away
The tune that is hardest to learn
Sounds simplest in play!
The traveler finds himself home
After sojourning in alien lands
He finds God is in his heart
After crossing distant strands!
“Here you are” are words
I had always wanted to say,
Keeping my eyes wide open,
I looked for you all the way
Filling earth in countless streams
Currents keep flowing on
Though they reveal you everywhere
I weep, missing communion.
(English Gitanjali – Poem #12; Geetimalyo – Poem #14)
O silent one, if you don’t want to,
Don’t say anything
I will fill my heart
With your silence.
I will lie down
Still as the night
Lighted by stars,
Patient, head bent.
Dawn will break one day
And darkness disappear
Your words will appear in the sky
In day’s golden light.
Will my nest then fill with songs
Woven out of your words?
Will my bower then resound
With your heavenly tunes?
(English Gitanjali – Poem #19; Bengali Gitanjali – Poem #71)
When I’ve given you, Lord, all I can give,
Let me be content with whatever you leave.
I look at you in every possible way
Giving you all I lose myself in you
In love, I’ll be with you night and day
The only wish still left for me
Is to be with you, O Lord, eternally.
When I’ve given you, Lord, all I can give
Let me not hide you no matter where I live.
What pleases you will fill my soul
And hold me firmly in my world
In your arms I’ll find myself whole
Let only this wish be left for me
To be with you, O Lord, eternally.
(English Gitanjali – Poem #34; Bengali Gitanjali – Poem #34)