Losing a Loved One: Selections from “Love and Death” by Sri Aurobindo (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with excerpts of this mesmerizing poem that expresses the sadness and grief felt by Ruru after his beloved wife’s passing.

“‘O grim cold Death! But I will not like ordinary men Satiate thee with cries, and falsely woo thee, And make my grief thy theatre, who lie Prostrate beneath thy thunderbolts and make Night witness of their moans, shuddering and crying When sudden memories pierce them like swords, And often starting up as at a thought Intolerable, pace a little, then Sink down exhausted by brief agony.’” “And his heart cried in him as when a fire Roars through wide forests and the branches cry Burning towards Heaven. So burned, immense, his grief within him; he raised His young pure face all solemnised with pain, Voiceless. Then Fate was shaken, and the Gods Grieved for him, of his silence grown afraid.”

“O Death That show not thy face beneath the stars, But come masked, and on our dear ones seizing Fear to wrestle equally with love!” “But Ruru passioned on, and came with eve To secret grass and a green opening moist In a cool lustre. Leaned upon a tree That bathed in fairy air and saw the sky Through branches, and a single parrot loud Screamed from its top, there stood a golden boy…”