Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE PATH OF TEARS: 4. LOVE'S GUERDON by SAROJINI NAIDU

First Line: FIERCE WERE THE WOUNDS YOU STRUCK ME, O MY LOVE
Last Line: CROWNED IN A LONELY RAPTURE OF RENOWN.
Subject(s): HEARTS; LOVE; PAIN; RELATIONSHIPS; SUFFERING; MISERY;

FIERCE were the wounds you struck me, O my Love,
And bitter were the blows! ...
Sweeter from your dear hands all suffering
Than rich love-tokens other comrades bring
Of crimson oleander and of rose.

Cold was your cruel laughter, O my Love,
And cruel were your words! ...
Sweeter such harshness on your lips than all
Love-orisons from tender lips that fall,
And soft love-music of chakora-birds.

You plucked my heart and broke it, O my Love,
And bleeding, flung it down! ...
Sweeter to die thus trodden of your feet,
Than reign apart upon an ivory seat
Crowned in a lonely rapture of renown.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net