Written in 1932 by Rabindranath Tagore, Jatra (Journey) is a part of Rabindra Rachnabali (Writings of Ranbindranath) and Sanchayita (Compilation — in this case of poems).
JOURNEY
The emperor journeys to battle. The earth trembles
With the clash of drums and cymbals. The minister
Conspires, spreads web of deceit through realms.
Trading streams encircle the world with ebb and flow.
Cargo ships travel to distant shores. Monuments of
Heroism grow out of piles of human skeletons raising
Their heads heavenward to laugh with disregard.
The learned repeatedly attack impenetrable fortresses
Of knowledge, walled by books. The king’s fame spreads far and wide.
Here, in the village, the river flows sluggishly
In the distance. The ferry picks up the new bride
Sailing to a far colony. The sun sets. The shores
Are lined with silent fields. The girl’s heart shivers.
In the darkness, slowly, the evening star rises on the horizon.
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This poem has been translated from Bengali by Mitali Chakravarty with editorial input by Sohana Manzoor
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