Rabindranath Tagore. Touch the World. Lyrics

I used to think the author had lived long ago, for his style of expression is almost akin to ancient Persian poetry. But no - it is the second half of the century before last and the first half of the last century. A prolific yet not easy life. My impression was equally mistaken that only collections of his insights and quotes were available in Latvian. This book "Touch the World", which was given to me as a gift by a former colleague, made me look at his creative work with different eyes.

I wish to share a few excerpts from this book that spoke to me especially.

This is my prayer to thee, my lord - strike, strike at the root of penury in my heart.
Give me the strength lightly to bear my joys and sorrows.
Give me the strength to make my love fruitful in service.
Give me the strength never to disown the poor or bend my knees before insolent might.
Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.
And give me the strength to surrender my strength to thy will with love.

With outstretched hands thy sunbeam descends to my earth and lingers the whole day before my door, to carry back to thy feet the clouds wrought from my tears and sighs, and songs.

I ask for a moment's indulgence to sit by thy side. The work that I have in hand I will finish afterwards.
Away from the sight of thy face my heart knows no rest nor respite, and my work becomes an endless toil in a shoreless sea of toil.
Today the summer has come at my window with its sighs and murmurs; and the bees are plying their minstrelsy at the court of the flowering grove.
Now it is time to sit quiet, face to face with thee, and to sing dedication of life in this silent and overflowing leisure.