A Tale of Three Poems

It is funny how things happen in a continuity at times.

Let me explain.

For some reason, was reminded of Rudyard Kipling's "If" today.

I have spoken about Kipling's "If" earlier (Wow! It has been five years since that post and so much has changed. Was just incredible reading the comments section and remembering those times. I know I sound like an 80 year old but what the heck...) and the poem inspires me as much as it did then.

And then, in the evening, chanced upon the remix version of Rabindranath Tagore's "Ekla cholo re" from the upcoming Vidya Balan starrer "Kahaani". Here is the translation of the original poem in Rabindranath's own words:

If they answer not to thy call walk alone,

If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,

O thou unlucky one,

open thy mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,

O thou unlucky one,

trample the thorns under thy tread,

and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,

O thou unlucky one,

with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart

and let it burn alone.

And this brings me to a nice poem which, I feel, has been too commercialised these days. The poem is "Agneepath" by Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Which are the poems that inspire you?