The Broken Wing - Songs of Love, Death & Destiny - 1915-1916

With a Chapter from 'Studies of Contemporary Poets' by Mary C. Sturgeon

Sarojini Naidu, Mary C. Sturgeon

• Publisher: Ragged Hand - Read & Co.
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781528789554
• Topic: Literatura
• Subtopic: Mujeres en la poesía

First published in 1917, "The Broken Wing - Songs of Love, Death & Destiny – 1915-1916" is collection of beautiful poetry by Indian poet and activist Sarojini Naidu. A wonderful collection not to be missed by fans and collectors of classic Indic poetry. Contents include: "The Broken Wing Songs of Life and Death", "Memorial Verses", "The Following Year", "The Peacock-lute Songs for Music", and "The Temple, A Pilgrimage of Love". Naidu (1879–1949) was an Indian political activist and poet. She was a staunch proponent of women's emancipation, civil rights, and anti-imperialistic ideas, playing an important role in India's struggle for independence from colonial rule. Her work as a poet includes both children's poems and others with more mature themes including patriotism, romance, and tragedy, earning her the sobriquet "Nightingale of India". Her most famous work is "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" (1912), which remains widely read to this day. Other notable works by this author include: "The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death & the Spring" (1912) and "Muhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity" (1919). This classic work is being republished now in a new edition complete with an introductory chapter chapter from 'Studies of Contemporary Poets' by Mary C. Sturgeon.

THE TEMPLE

A PILGRAMAGE OF LOVE

I.
THE GATE OF DELIGHT

1.

THE OFFERING

Were beauty mine, beloved, I would bring it
Like a rare blossom to Love's glowing shrine;
Were dear youth mine, beloved, I would fling it
Like a rich pearl into Love's lustrous wine:

Were greatness mine, Beloved, I would offer
Such radiant gifts of glory and of fame,
Like camphor and like curds to pour and proffer
Before Love's bright and sacrificial flame.

But I have naught save my heart's deathless passion
That craves no recompense divinely sweet,
Content to wait in proud and lowly fashion,
And kiss the shadow of Love's passing feet.

2.

THE FEAST

Bring no fragrant sandal-paste,
Let me gather, Love, instead
The entranced and flowering dust
You have honoured with your tread
For mine eyelids and mine head.

Bring no scented lotus-wreath
Moon-awakened, dew-caressed;
Love, thro' memory's age-long dream
Sweeter shall my wild heart rest
With your footprints on my breast.

Bring no pearls from ravished seas,
Gems from rifled hemispheres;
Grant me, Love, in priceless boon
All the sorrow of your years,
All the secret of your tears.

3.

ECSTASY

Let spring illume the western hills with blossoming brands of fire,

And wake with rods of budded flame the valleys of the south —

But I have plucked you, O miraculous Flower of my desire,

And crushed between my lips the burning petals of your mouth!

Let spring unbind upon the breeze tresses of rich perfume

To lure the purple honey bees to their enchanted death —

But sweeter madness drives my soul to swift and sweeter doo

For I have drunk the deep, delicious nectar of your breath!

Let spring unlock the melodies of fountain and of flood,

And teach the winged word of man to mock the wild bird's

But wilder music thrilled me when the rivers of your blood

Swept o'er the floodgates of my life to drown my waiting heart!

4.

THE LUTE-SONG

Why need you a burnished mirror of gold,
O bright and imperious face?
Mine eyes be the shadowless wells of desire
For the sun of your glory and grace!

Why need you the praises of ivory lutes,
O proud and illustrious name?
My voice be the journeying lute of delight
For the song of your valour and fame!

Why need you pavilions and pillows of silk,
Soft foot-cloths of a...