gitanjali

ON the slope of the desolate river
among tall grasses I asked her,
"Maiden, where do you go shading
your lamp with your mantle ? My
house is all dark and lonesome- lend
me your light !" She raised her dark
eyes for a moment and looked at my
face through the dusk. "I have come to
the river," she said, "to float my lamp
on the stream when the daylight
wanes in the west." I stood alone
among tall grasses and watched the
timid flame of her lamp uselessly
drifting in the tide.

In the silence of gathering night I
asked her, "Maiden, your lights are all
lit- then where do you go with your
lamp ? My house is all dark and
lonesome,- lend me your light." She
raised her dark eyes on my face and
stood for a moment doubtful. "I have
come," she said at last, "to dedicate
my lamp to the sky." I stood and
watched her light uselessly burning in
the void.

In the moonless gloom of
midnight I asked her. "Maiden, what
is your quest holding the lamp near
your heart? My house is all dark and
lonesome,- lend me your light." she
stopped for a minute and thought and
gazed at my face in the dark. "I have
brought my light," she said, "to join
the carnival of lamps." I stood and
watched her little lamp uselessly lost.
among lights.