Religion

Gitanjali 28: Obstinate are the trammels

by Rabindranath Tagore 1861–1941

Translated by Rabindranath Tagore (1912) · From Gitanjali (1912)

Religion

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.

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/.

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