O letter dull and cold, how can she readSri Aurobindo
Collected Poems
CWSA.- Volume 2
Part Two. Baroda
Sonnets from Manuscripts, c. 1900 –
1901
O letter dull and cold
O letter dull and cold, how can she read
Gladly these lifeless lines, no fire that prove,
When others even their passionate hearts exceed
Caressing her sweet name with words of love?
O me that I could force this barrier, turn
My heart to syllables, make all desire
One burning word, then would my letters yearn
With some reflection of that hidden fire.
Ah if I could, what then? This fiery pit1
Within for human eyes was never meant.
All hearts would2 view with horror or with hate
A picture not of earthly lineament.
Yourself even, sweet, would start with terror back
As at the hissing of a sudden snake.
Earlier edition of this work: Sri Aurobindo Birth Century Library: Set in 30 volumes.- Volume 27.- Supplement.- Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Asram, 1972.- 511 p.
1 1972 ed. SABCL, vol.27: fate
2 1972 ed. SABCL, vol.27: could