Religion
Gitanjali 28: Obstinate are the trammels
Translated by Rabindranath Tagore (1912) · From Gitanjali (1912)
Obstinate are the trammels, but my heart aches when I try to break them.
Freedom is all I want, but to hope for it I feel ashamed.
I am certain that priceless wealth is in thee, and that thou art my best friend, but I have not the heart to sweep away the tinsel that fills my room.
The shroud that covers me is a shroud of dust and death; I hate it, yet hug it in love.
My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy; yet when I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my prayer be granted.
Cite this poem
MLA
Tagore, Rabindranath. “Gitanjali 28: Obstinate are the trammels.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/tagore/27/.
Chicago
Tagore, Rabindranath. “Gitanjali 28: Obstinate are the trammels.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/tagore/27/.
Read this poem with the Codex →