Rabindranath Tagore’s Vernal Verses

Esho Bosonto, Esho Aj Tumi (Come Spring, Come Today) was part of Tagore’s collection called Smaran (Remembrances) in 1903. Here is a translation of the poem.

O Spring, come today,
Welcome to my world steeped 
In untidy darkness and emptiness. 
The flowers remain unplucked. 
Mock at the poverty 
And disarray if you must.
Still O Spring, today, 
Do visit my home. 
Today, all my windows—
all of them — are open. 
The day stretches without hindrances.
There is no hope, no work. 
The heart swings as
All the windows stay open 
In the empty house.
For many days, laughter and tears
Have not been heard here. 
Let them find freedom in your skies.
Let them breathe your breeze.
Let them be reborn with 
Blooms of bokul and champa.
The past is over — 
all its tears and laughter. 
Revel with your festivities
Amidst the wounds in my heart. 
Play your flute.
Blossom in abundance.
Let all the returning birds 
Sing in chorus.
Celebrate your vernal festivals
Tuning in with my pain.
I will heal with the joy 
Of your celebrations. 
The heaven and Earth will 
Come together as you celebrate.
They will laugh at death’s door
Repeatedly. Such festivities
Will heal, touch deep within
My being to find closure.

This poem has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravarty with editorial input from Sohana Manzoor

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