little shag on a perch (Photo credit: Brenda Anderson)
A pet Sun Parakeet (also known as a Sun Conure) in parrot cage. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I read this poem, a number of times, I now have reached the conclusion,Tagore’s poem has a deeper meaning
than just, Two Birds living in two different places ,wanting to live together.
Readers, what do you think?
Two Birds by Rabindranath Tagore
Two birds,living in separate abodes one in a gold cage
and the other in a forest.
Once upon a time I don’t know how they met each other,
it is hard to fathom what the creator was thinking.
The bird from the forest uttered ‘my brother in the gold cage,
let us go to the forest together.’
Bird in the cage said, ‘bird from the forest,come
let’s stay in the cage quietly.’
Bird in the forest replied , ‘ No,
I refuse to be barred in the cage.
Bird in the cage remarked, ‘alas,
how will I go to the forest.
The bird in the forest sings perched outside
all the songs of the forest,
bird in the cage repeats everything by rote___
they spoke two different languages.
Bird from the forest announced ‘brother in the cage,
sing a forest song!’
Bird in the cage responded, ‘my brother of the forest,
let’s learn the song of the cage.’
The bird from the forest answered, ‘No,
I don’t want to learn a song that is taught.’
Bird in the cage replied, ‘Alas,
how will I sing a forest song.’
Bird from the forest announced, ‘the sky is deep blue,
I have no barrier ,I am free.’
Bird from the cage said, ‘the cage is neat and clean
it is covered all around.’
Bird in the forest replied, ‘set yourself free
and reach the clouds.’
Bird in the cage answered, ‘in the quiet cozy cage
capture yourself.’
Bird in the forest said,’No,
where will I fly there!’
Bird in the cage replied, ‘Alas,
where is the place in the clouds to perch!’
The birds, love each other so much,
still they are unable to stay close to each other.
Between the spaces in the cage opposite face to face,
they quietly stare at each other.
the two are unable to understand each other,
and cannot explain why?
Both alone flap their wings,
call in a piteous voice, ‘come closer.’
Bird in the forest cries, ‘No,
who knows when the cage will be shut.’
Bird in the cage replied, ‘Alas,
I don’t have strength to fly.’
Sabethville 