All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above -
Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights or one,
And some for all their years.
Short, sweet and powerful. Perfectly crafted. Shows why Vikram Seth is among the pre-eminent Indian English poets.
All you who sleep tonight has been one of my favourite poems for years. So easy to memorize and so touching to recite. It is emotion in a small but poweful dose
It was a very beautiful poem with so much of depth of emotions. such a beautiful line- The whole world shares your tears. lovely.
Tears flow while remembering of loved one and there is no one to wipe off the tears, this is universal phenomenon Suffering we are sharing
Today I also read his 2012 poem Night Watch and left stars and a comment. It's another SHORT one; I recommend it to you. bri : )
Vikram Seth has a LONG bio on PH, including this: 'Seth self-identifies as bisexual. In 2006, he became a leader of the campaign against India's Section 377, a law against homosexuality.' In 2021 I left a comment, but I don't recall a previous visit.
Enjoyed very much. Congrats being the Modern Poem Of The Day. A very pleasant read. %Thank you for sharing
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
All you who sleep tonight As lovers on bed entwined Remember time can such unwind And love can no longer be a bind And vows go flying out of doors As pans and kettles with rattling sounds And neighbors enjoy the bout and song Both of you make in your marital discord