THE SEASONS
by : KALIDASA

Autumn
The autumn comes, a maiden fair
In slenderness and grace,
With nodding rice stems in her hair
And lilies in her face.
In flowers of grasses she is clad;
And as she moves along,
Birds greet her with their cooing glad
Like bracelet's tinkling song.

A diadem adorns the night
Of multitudinous stars;
Her silken robe in white moonlight
Set free from cloudy bars:
And on her face (the radiant moon)
Bewitching smiles are shown:
She seems a slender maid who soon
Will be a woman grown.

Over the rice fields, laden plants
Are shivering to the breeze,
While in his brisk caresses dance
The blossom-burdened trees:
He ruffles every lily pond
Where blossoms kiss and part
And stirs with lover's fancies fond
The young man's eager heart

Time is the root of all this earth;
These creatures, who from time have birth.
Within his bosom at the end
Shall sleep; time has no enemy or friend.

All we in one long caravan
Are journeying since the world began;
We know not whither, but we know
Time guideth at the front and all must go.

Like as the wind up the field
Bows every herb and all must yield
So we beneath Time's passing breath
Bow each in turn--why tears for birth or death?


TRIVIA:

KALIDASA (flourished about 375-415) was an Indian court poet and dramatist. An outstanding figure in Oriental literature, his poetry is noted for their fine description of nature and of poignant emotions. His principal works have been translated into many languages, including English, So many poems of different types are attributed to Kalidasa that some critics believe them to be the work of three poets, all named Kalidasa.