Love
The Gardener 52: Why did the lamp go out
Translated by Rabindranath Tagore (1915) · From The Gardener (1915)
Why did the lamp go out?
I shaded it with my cloak to save it from the wind, that is why the lamp went out.
Why did the flower fade?
I pressed it to my heart with anxious love, that is why the flower faded.
Why did the stream dry up?
I put a dam across it to have it for my use, that is why the stream dried up.
Why did the harp-string break?
I tried to force a note that was beyond its power, that is why the harp-string is broken.
Cite this poem
MLA
Tagore, Rabindranath. “The Gardener 52: Why did the lamp go out.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/tagore/154/.
Chicago
Tagore, Rabindranath. “The Gardener 52: Why did the lamp go out.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/tagore/154/.
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