Goddess Lakshmi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This poem of Tagore shows him as a person,who has a side which notices other things that are not so serious. This is about an acquaintance. I am dedicating the translation of this poem to my very good friends,who take their time to support my translations and write encouraging comments. I am truly grateful for their generosity. The friends are: Mr. Akhtar Wasim Dar, Mr. Robert and MS. Noor.
Acquaintance
There is a girl, I know, she controls the small village___
everyone gives her what she needs for Pooja, they call her Lakshmi.
But I say shall we believe what you say,
I doubt she is so well-behaved.
In early morning, I know not where her sleep disappears___
she is rowdy in her bed.
She wakes up the whole neighborhood and giggles,
She stealthily tries to run away instead of going to her mother’s lap.
When she extends her arms and looks at me, then I am helpless,
I pick her up on my shoulders and walk around in the neighborhood.
she is delighted to find such a comfortable mode of transportation
she shows it by blows with her soft chubby fists.
I eagerly tell her wait , wait,
she tries to take my eye glasses with her fist.
She argues in her sweet voice makes a lot of noise___
it’s a terrible spectacle,you just call it a friendly behavior!
Still I think it is unbecoming for me to argue with her___
without her the melody of the flute doesn’t sound the same.
without her, can there be so many flowers sprouting?
If she is not here will the evening stars come up?
If there is no noise even for a moment,
there is no way my heart will be filled with joy.
Her mischief is like a south wind it comes as a happy sound to awaken everyone_
it sways my heart and gives me the same contentment that I get when I see the flower garden.
If you ask me her name it makes me think,
which name can I give, is something I cannot think.
Who keeps track of her name, I call her whatever I please__
I call her mischievous,wild, ferocious.
the name given by her parents let that be only theirs_
you can look for sweet ,pretty names,but no,keep them safely in the box.
When someone chooses a name in a party, why should
the whole world , be compelled to use that name,it is too restrictive.
Why not we all give a name we like___
Dad calls her Chandrakumar,uncle calls her Ramcharan.
It doesn’t suit the daughter of the house to have a name in Sanskrit.
Does it make them more important or the price of the dictionary should be counted.
I, will only call by whatever name comes to my lips___
Whatever I call, she will understand , let everyone else laugh.
One small human being she has hundreds of moods,
is it appropriate to call such a person by one name only?
Lakshmi (Photo credit: elycefeliz)
Sabethville 