CHILDREN, ye have not lived, to you it seems Life is a lovely stalactite of dreams.
Or carnival of careless joys that leap
About your hearts like billows on the deep In flames of amber and of amethust.
The stanza explains that children are yet to explore and experience life. It seems to describe how life appears to be a beautiful and enchanting experience for them, like a magnificent stalactite formed by their dreams. They see life as a joyful carnival, filled with carefree pleasures that dance around their hearts like waves in the ocean. The imagery of flames of amber and amethyst adds a touch of magic and wonder to this description. It’s a lovely way to capture the innocence and wonder that children often possess.
Children, ge have not lived, ge but exist Till some resistless hour shall rise and move Your hearts to wake and hunger after love.
And thirst with passionate longing for the things That burn your brows with blood-red sufferings.
The lines you mentioned suggest that children, in their youthful innocence, haven’t truly experienced the depths of life until they encounter love. It is that they’re in a state of existence, going through the motions, until a powerful moment arises that awakens their hearts and ignites a hunger for love. This hunger is described as a passionate longing, a thirst that drives them to seek connection and experience the intense emotions that love can bring. The mention of “blood-red sufferings” hints at the idea that love can also bring pain and challenges, but it’s through these experiences that they truly come alive and understand the complexities of life. It’s a profound reflection on the transformative power of love and the profound impact it can have on our lives.
Till ye have bantled with great grief and fears.
And borne the conflict of dream-shottering years, Wounded with fierce desire and worn with strife, Children, ye have nor lived: for this is life.
The lines you shared highlight that true living involves more than just existing. It suggests that in order to truly live, one must face and overcome great grief, fears, and the challenges that life presents. The phrase “battled with great grief and fears” implies that life is not just about the joyful moments, but also about navigating through difficult times and facing our inner conflicts. The mention of “dream-shattering years” suggests that life can be filled with disappointments and setbacks that test us. It’s through these experiences, the wounds of fierce desire and the weariness of strife, that we truly understand the depth and complexity of life. It’s a reminder that life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and it’s in facing and overcoming these challenges that we truly live.
Sarojini Naidu Pardah Nashin Summary
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