Theme: Retirement

The Resigned

I have let go of my rudder at last
For I have nothing to chase
And nowhere to reach
And nothing interests me any more.
I walk without any fear and expect no favor
And go places freely neither for profit nor for loss.
If I don't get a chance to climb up the ladder
I am quite happy with my place at the bottom.
I have let go of my rudder
Now I am happy to be as I like.

I go wherever I please
And accept whatever comes my way
Never scrambling for anything.
Against my choice
I don't have to be with anybody
Nor do I have to quarrel with anyone.
I keep my counsel to myself alone.
Often have I tried to please myself
By pleasing Tom, Dick and Harry
And by grovelling at the feet of many.
I have banged and begged at many doors
Asking for favor from some
Wasting many unnecessary words.

At long last I have got my recess
My last holiday without an end.
After a long day
Now I want only to play.
No longer shall I bear unbearable burdens
I'll forget things that I never liked
Returning the broken shackles to its owner
Now I shall stand erect
With a steady head on my shoulders.

Spring has come and gone
But I had no time to enjoy its blessings
I kept myself busy only in gathering.
Now I shall roam about
Giving no thought to anything.
I shall grasp none in passion
But leave everyone to one's own self.
Cured of the diseases of ego and ambition
I shall be one with everyone.

Transcreation of the poem Udashin from the collection Kshanika by Rabindranath Tagore. The original is at http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr.org/node/10417.

23-Mar-2003

More By  :  Kumud Biswas

Views: 1518     Comments: 0


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