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In the deep shadows of the rainy July, with secret steps, thou walkest, silent as night, eluding all watchers.
To-day the morning has closed its eyes, heedless of the insistent calls of the loud east wind, and a thick veil has been drawn over the ever-wakeful blue sky.
The woodlands have hushed their songs, and doors are all shut at every house. Thou art the solitary wayfarer in this deserted street. Oh my only friend, my best beloved, the gates are open in my house - do not pass by like a dream.
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| Gitanjali Poem no. 22 |
Summary
Again, an intense longing for an union with God is expressed in this poem. It is a strong plea to God for blessing him with his presence in his house. The poet says that during the rainy day of July, when the clouds cast dark shadows, God walks the lonely streets, silently as quiet as the night and in such a manner that none of those watching or looking out for him can see him.
Today, the morning has darkened, the loud east wind is not able to disperse the clouds and a thick curtain of dark clouds has enveloped the blue sky and so everything is dark. Because of this the woodlands have stopped singing and everybody has shut their door at their houses. God is the only traveller in the dark, lonely street. But then the poet calls out to God that, He is his only friend, his most beloved friend and asks him to come into his house, his doors are wide open and he pleads to God that He do not pass by likea dream.
Critical Analysis
Again Tagore expresses his longing for divine possession in terms of the lover and the beloved. The poet is the beloved waiting for God the lover to come to his house. The poet loves God dearly and in this rainy month of July he has been waiting for God to come to his house and bless him with his presence as a beloved would eagerly wait for her lover on a dark, lonely and rainy light. Everything is quiet, the morning has darkened, the birds have stopped singing and everybody has closed their doors, the streets are deserted. Therefore it is an opportune time for God to come and he requests God earnestly to enter his house. Again, an erotic association is made in that the picture is reminiscent of a woman waiting for her lover to come, in the darkness of the night with the doors open and listening to his footsteps and dreaming about their union.
Annotations
Eluding all watchers: God escapes all notice. Morning has closed its eyes: the day has ended. Thick veil... blue sky: darkness had descended. Solitary wayfarer: God is the only traveller who passes by.