Sri Aurobindo

Collected Poems

CWSA.- Volume 2

Part Seven. Pondicherry
Sonnets from Manuscripts, c. 1934 – 1947

Man, the Despot of Contraries

I am greater than the greatness of the seas,

A swift tornado of God-energy:

A helpless flower that quivers in the breeze,

I am weaker than the reed one breaks with ease.

I harbour all the wisdom of the wise

In my nature of stupendous Ignorance;

On a flame of righteousness I fix my eyes

While I wallow in sweet sin and join hell’s dance.

My mind is brilliant like a full-orbed moon,

Its darkness is the caverned troglodyte’s.

I gather long Time’s wealth and squander soon;

I am an epitome of opposites.

I with repeated life death’s sleep surprise;

I am a transience of the eternities.

Earlier edition of this work: Sri Aurobindo Birth Century Library: Set in 30 volumes.- Volume 5.- Collected Poems.- Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Asram, 1972.- 625 p.