OFFERING
All the stars in heaven
Braided in their rays
I will make a garland
For you
my love someday
But tonight
Accept these flowers
I have with great effort collected
With myriad hues
Taken from the rising sun
I will fill the universe
With your images
But for now this crude picture
Is all I have for you
A song of sweet tunes
Like what the angels sing
I will sing to you someday
But this song breaking out of my heart
Is all I can offer you today
Original poem “Pooja” from ‘Phulwaat’
Written May 1922
English rendering by Ullas
August 2005