Translation: Bojhapora (An Understanding)

Bojhapora (An Understanding) by Rabindranath Tagore

My first attempt at translating a Tagore poem. The original can be found here

Tell thyself today,
Whether the truth be stormy or breezy
Let it on your mind sit easy.

Some do love you
While others can’t bring themselves to,
Some are sold already, while the other
Do not for a million bucks bother,
A bit of it has to do with their nature
And a bit with your own, brother,
The world’s ways are strange rather –
Not all are made for each other.

Some will take you for a ride
To some, you too may have lied,
A few parts will fall in your bucket
While a few other will stray wide,
From the times ancient
This is the way the world works-
How could you think you would be spared
From all the hurts and all the smirks.

Tell thyself today,
Whether the truth be stormy or breezy
Let it on your mind sit easy.

Having crossed hurricanes of pain
You draw nearer to the port of pleasure,
Only to discover icebergs beneath
Ready to take your measure,
In a single moment it hits you hard
Shivers of pain run unbarred –
But does it mean we go and curse
And against all a grudge nurse?
If you can float past it all
That is the best way,
And if you can’t, in silence
Feel free to dive away.
Things like these are commonplace
If you come to think-
Where one suspects the least
Is just the place where the ship does sink.

Tell thyself today,
Whether the truth be stormy or breezy
Let it on your mind sit easy.

Not all were made to your size
Nor were you made to fit all,
Some push you to the edge
While you get some to play ball-
But why must there be
So much of stress and aching?
If you reach for it the right way –
Bliss is there for the taking.
The dawn’s light still feels sweet
The sky still stays as blue
When death comes, suddenly it strikes
That Life is the better of the two.
For whom the tears flowed
And without whom nothing seemed right
Now it seems even without
The world glows no less bright.

Tell thyself today,
Whether the truth be stormy or breezy
Let it on your mind sit easy.

Sitting in the shade
Of your own growing shadow
If you make your life dark
With your own ado,
Arguing with your own destiny
If striking at yourself is your plan,
Then kindly get that over with,
As soon as you can.
Cry your heart out
Fill up with tears a pitcher or two
But however you can
With yourself, just get it through.
And in that peace, light the lamp
Drive away the dark of your room-
Whatever your differences with others
Sweep off your mind with a broom.

Tell thyself today,
Whether the truth be stormy or breezy
Let it on your mind sit easy.

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