Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Fragment ID: 20308

I have altered the bird passage and the repetition of “delight”¹ at the end of a line; the new version runs –

As might a soul fly like a hunted bird,

Escaping with tired wings from a world of storms,

And a quiet reach like a remembered breast,

In a haven of safety and splendid soft repose

One could drink life back in streams of honey-fire,

Recover the lost habit of happiness,

Feel her bright nature’s glorious ambience,

And preen joy in her warmth and colour’s rule.

1946

¹ An earlier line, not far from the one ending with the word “delight” in the first version of the Bird passage, had been pointed out as ending with the same word –

Even in earth-stuff, and their intense delight...

Feel her bright nature’s glorious ambiance,

And preen joy in her warmth and colour’s rule.

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