My Last Birthday

by Kumud Biswas

In the midst of my birthday I feel lost

Those who are my friends

I wish they would give me their last loving touch

And I shall leave this world

With the greatest gift of my life –

The last blessings of men.

Today I have exhausted what I had

I have given my all to the last.

If I get something in return –

Some affection, some forgiveness –

Then I shall carry them with me

On my way to the crossing of the last ferry

To join the last silent festivity of my life.

Translation of poem 10 from the collection Shesh Lekha (The Last Writings) by Rabindranath Tagore. Written at Udayan (Santiniketan) on 6^th May, 1941 - the poet’s last birthday.
The original poem is at http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr.org/node/13777

01-Apr-2012

More By : Kumud Biswas

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Comments on this Poem

Dear Mr. Sharma, Thanks for the compliments.

TagoreBlog
10-Jun-2013 11:09 AM

Purity of heart is depicted here very well.As it is said that at the time of death
a person revises his life events as a film in his memory.So it is better to fill up
someone's last desire by his nearest relatives ,friends or who is attendant to
his death bed at the time of death. Those are lucky who goes heaven by a
natural death surrounding his full of family than the accidental or immediate
release his body.RavindraNath Tegore was one of such lucky persons.You have translated above incident so nice.A lot of thanks.You have made his
last birthday memorable in your own words/language.A lot of thanks.

Nathmal Sharma
10-Jun-2013 07:51 AM

Thanks Dr. Mallick. Please read the original poem - it's marvellous - this translation is not half as good.

TagoreBlog
03-Apr-2012 20:06 PM

Tagore was a sage; he had the hunch. It is therefore prophetic. Forgiveness and affection all that he wishes to have, perhaps throwing away the fame in the flames. Kumud babu, you have done a great translation and a great job, too. Thank you.

Kumarendra Mallick
03-Apr-2012 10:02 AM