YOU CAME TO me in the wayward hours of spring with flute songs and flowers. You troubled my heart from ripples into waves, rocking the red lotus of love. You asked me to come out with you into the secret of life. But I fell asleep among the murmurous leaves of May. When I woke the cloud gathered in the sky and the dead leaves flitted in the wind. Through the patter of rain I hear your nearing footsteps and the cry to come out with you into the secret of death. I walk to your side and put my hand into yours, while your eyes burn and water drips from your hair.
AGE AFTER AGE, hast Thou, O Lord, sent Thy messengers into this pitiless world, who have left their word: 'Forgive all. Love all. Cleanse your hearts from the blood-red stains of hatred.' Adorable are they, ever to be remembered; yet from the outer door have I turned them away to-day-this evil daywith unmeaning salutation. Have I not seen secret malignance strike down the helpless under the cover of hypocritical night? Have I not heard the silenced voice of Justice weeping in solitude at might's defiant outrages? Have I not seen in what agony reckless youth, running mad, has vainly shattered its life against insensitive rocks? Choked is my voice, mute are my songs to-day, and darkly my world lies imprisoned in a dismal dream; and I ask Thee, O Lord, in tears: 'Hast Thou Thyself forgiven, hast even Thou loved those who are poisoning Thy air, and blotting out Thy light?'
বাউলের সুর আমার নাই-বা হল পারে যাওয়া। যে হাওয়াতে চলত তরী অঙ্গেতে সেই লাগাই হাওয়া। নেই যদি-বা জমল পাড়ি ঘাট আছে তো বসতে পারি, আমার আশার তরী ডুবল যদি দেখব তোদের তরী বাওয়া। হাতের কাছে কোলের কাছে যা আছে সেই অনেক আছে, আমার সারা দিনের এই কি রে কাজ ও পার-পানে কেঁদে চাওয়া। কম কিছু মোর থাকে হেথা পুরিয়ে নেব প্রাণ দিয়ে তা, আমার সেইখানেতেই কল্পলতা যেখানে মোর দাবি-দাওয়া।
