I am greater than the greatness of the seas,
A swift tornado of God-energy;
A helpless flower that quivers in the breeze
I am weaker than the reed one breaks with ease.
I harbour all the wisdom of the wise
In my nature of stupendous Ignorance;
On a flame of righteousness I fix my eyes
While I wallow in sweet sin and join hells dance.
My mind is brilliant like a full-orbed moon,
Its darkness is the caverned troglodytes.
I gather long Times wealth and squander soon;
I am an epitome of opposites.
I with repeated life death's sleep surprise;
I am a transience of the eternities.
(written ?, revised 29-7-1940)
Sri Aurobindo
Reference: # 79 in "Les poèmes de Sri
Aurobindo" (bilingual edition)
also in "Last Poems" - 43
and "Collected Poems" - 156
all published by Sri
Aurobindo Ashram - Pondicherry
diffusion by SABDA