Today

Dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore

His lotus went unheeded – I knew not
what fragrance the south wind would carry
to induce strange longing

In fact, I knew not the south wind

I am so ignorant – occasionally! –
I told myself

And too concerned with myself
and the writing of poetry
that comes from that self
or something like it

Let the lotus and the south wind be

– James Steerforth ( © 2009 )

Note
I was going to rewrite a poem by Rabindranath Tagore I had just read, trying to “rejuvenate” it (take out that 19th century British-style stuffiness he instilled in his own translations), and this was the outcome, sort of a Rabindranath Tagore gone New York Poets piece only somewhat related to the original.

Happens to go well with Totally Optional Prompts’ Rewrite issue.