poetry · Issue No. 1, January 1953 · p. 51

Sayings on Childhood

Tagore

اقوال في الطفولة · طاغور

This slumber that flutters over the child's eyes — does any mortal know whence it came?

Yes, they say it dwells in an enchanted village, among the shadows of the dark forest, where the light of the glow-worms gleamed, and two shy, charming buds bent low: from there came the slumber to kiss the child's eyes.

This smile that ripples on the sleeping child's lips — does any mortal know where it was born?

Yes, they say a pale ray of the crescent moon touched the edge of a frail autumn cloud. And on the edge of the cloud, in the dream of a dew-washed morning, a smile was born — the smile that ripples on the sleeping child's lips!

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