My father taught me to recite this when I was young for a class project. Back then I learnt the entire poem by heart and I still have not forgotten. On this day of the birthday of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, this is my humble tribute to the man who shaped my childhood and my life as a semi mature adult so far.
Tagore himself recited the poem and I will attach the link to it here:
It has been a week of rain now,
She saw her panes grow hazy.
A hundred new thoughts,
A thousand new words to shed –
Why is it everyone talks of ‘Love’?
She wanted to talk something new.
She came to you to feel anew and all she felt was lazy.
They said, you feel intoxicated,
She thought crazy they are! The lunatic lot!
The jealous crowd, the wrath stricken lot!
She painted her canvas red and blue and yellow and green
She hued her sky with all her colours,
Her city with all her hopes,
And then this rain-It washed away all,
It made her city the same colourless.
Four walls need not be home,
Four walls may not be rest,
Four walls mean an open roof-
It was that sky she saw everyday!
It was the rain of that sky she dreamt!
Yet it drenched her,
Made her wet all over…
She rose from her sleep,
Brought out a new canvas and gave a new streak on it.
The old wet canvas saw her back..
Suppose one day, you witness your morning cup of tea talking to your dish beneath it..
What would be your reaction?
Astonishment?
Surprise?
Unbelievable?
Nonsense?
I witness it… every day! Believe me…… EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Red liquor. A slim handle made silver. Floral patterns on the brim, with an intriguing tinge of blue and green. A white dish. The centre made silver, the same flora made at the peripheri.
With a thump on the table, the dish rested.
The liquor made a trip, yet, bumped into place!
White smoky vapors skimmed the surface and made a way out in a swirl.
I heard whispers after that!
Flora (The Dish): I see you smoke everyday!
Goblet (The Cup): Jealous, I presume?!
Flora: Oh! You really think so?
Goblet: I see no reason not to think so… at least by the way you speak!
Flora: Be safe, is all I intended to mean!
Goblet: Safe? What is it you think is unsafe out there? (smirks)
Flora: I saw you with Mr. Green yesterday…
Goblet: Oh Flora, I witness you burn with envy!
Flora: Be safe, is all……
Goblet: …..You intended, you mean? Oh, darling! I had to go with him. You know, we match a lot, Mr. Green and I.They said we looked gorgeous together. Especially that silver rim that he wears! Doesn’t he look gorgeous with that? My silver hand and his silver rim!
Flora: I saw you smoke yesterday too.
Goblet: Oh yeah! I was warm…
Flora: Oh! Don’t you fear anything Goblet?
Goblet: Afraid of what darling? Afraid of women who sip from me? Afraid of the men, who put the ashes in me after the cigar is burnt? Afraid of what? Anyway, I am always warm! And you know I enjoy that.
Flora: It is not that I am afraid of. It is something else.
Goblet: Something else?
Flora: It is harsh the way the way they grab you. The way they hold you. Oh Goblet, I have seen Green. I know Green! You sit too enclosed on him. U hurt your stand. I have seen. He grabs you hard. And the men out there! They hold you by your neck. They do not hold your hand! The women…. They keep nails for show! They prick at you every time. I and you..we enjoy warmth, cause I share your warmth that they pour into you. Green is not your pair Goblet! You don’t sit on him comfortably! I have seen that.
Goblet: Flora! You sound vulgar by that!
Flora: I just ‘sound’ vulgar, dear. You ‘look’ vulgar when you go out with Green!
Goblet: In that case, you should stop looking at me!
Flora: And put you to even more danger, you mean? You are safe with me, ONLY ME!
Goblet: In that case, I should go round alone!
Flora: Don’t you dare say that Goblet! Look down to me! I rest you on my silver throne. I have made you my queen. I am ready to share every bit with you. We were made together! To stay together! You go round alone there, I’ll break myself here. It is just the both of us together or simply no one!
Goblet: Oh Flora, do not think me weak. Do not insult me to be a ‘no one’ without you! I have an identity! An identity of my own! I know to dwell by my ownself!
Flora: Sure! That, even I have. They’ll pour cold wine into you then! Those humans out there will make you cold like themselves. They force women to sit on men, they rip two legs apart, they kill, they drink blood, they are a thirsty breed. Oh Goblet, do not go out into the world alone!
Goblet: Even you force me to sit on you! How are you different?
Dish: ………………………………………………………………………………………………
Dish: I wish you hadn’t said this! I just ‘asked’ you to be with me.
The platter slipped from my hand. It fell on the marble floor. I managed to hold back the cup. The dish….. well!
The servant broomed 23 pieces into the dustbin.
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén