You love to tread among those
Who are the lowliest of the low
And the poorest of the poor -
They are behind all
They are below all
They have nothing.
When I salute you
I cannot reach your feet
They tread among those
Who suffer forever indignities
They are behind all
They are below all
They have nothing.
You are beyond the reach of pride
You are among the naked and the poor -
Behind all, below all and have nothing.
Seeking your friendship
I mix with those who are rich
But my heart cannot reach
Where you are friendly with the friendless -
They are behind all
They are below all
They have nothing.
Translation of Rabindranath Tagore's poem Diner sangi from the collection Gitanjali. Compare no. 10 of the English Gitanjali to see how very differently Tagore translated it. My translation is more or less literal while Tagore's is virtually a new poem which can stand on its own as great poetry without any reference to its original.
