Religion

Fruit-Gathering 78: To the birds you gave songs

by Rabindranath Tagore 1861–1941

Translated by Rabindranath Tagore (1916) · From Fruit-Gathering (1916)

Religion

To the birds you gave songs, the birds gave you songs in return.

You gave me only voice, yet asked for more, and I sing.

You made your winds light and they are fleet in their service. You burdened my hands that I myself may lighten them, and at last, gain unburdened freedom for your service.

You created your Earth filling its shadows with fragments of light.

There you paused; you left me empty-handed in the dust to create your heaven.

To all things else you give; from me you ask.

The harvest of my life ripens in the sun and the shower till I reap more than you sowed, gladdening your heart, O Master of the golden granary.

MLA

Tagore, Rabindranath. “Fruit-Gathering 78: To the birds you gave songs.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/tagore/591/.

Chicago

Tagore, Rabindranath. “Fruit-Gathering 78: To the birds you gave songs.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/tagore/591/.

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