Fireflies 33 - 40 [German translation]

33

The lake lies low by the hill,

a tearful entreaty of love

at the foot of the inflexible.

34

There smiles the Divine Child

among his playthings of unmeaning clouds

and ephemeral lights and shadows.

35

The breeze whispers to the lotus,

"What is thy secret?"

"It is myself," says the lotus,

"Steal it and I disappear!“

36

The freedom of the storm and the bondage of the stem

join hands in the dance of swaying branches.

37

The jasmine's lisping of love to the sun is her flowers.

38

The tyrant claims freedom to kill freedom

and yet to keep it for himself.

39

Gods, tired of their paradise, envy man.

40

Clouds are hills in vapour,

hills are clouds in stone, —

a phantasy in time's dream.

• Artist:Rabindranath Tagore