SILENT STEPS (Poem By Tagore)

His full name was Rabindranath Tagore. He was born on 7 May 1861 in Kolkata (Calcutta) India. He was a famous poet, philosopher, prophet and a critic he died on 7 August 1941 Kolkata(Calcutta) India. Tagore rejected formal schooling and learned much at home. He attended University College, London,  to study law but quit before the completion of the degree. Although Tagore is famous for poetry, he did his best in writing novels, essays, short stories, plays and articles. His masterwork is ‘Gitanjali’ (a collection of poems) a spiritual journey from finite to infinite, it earned him the title of ‘mystic poet’. He composed more than 2000 songs. He is the official composer for the national anthem of  India and Bangladesh. In 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for ‘Gitanjali’. In 1915, the British Crown granted a Knighthood that he returned after Jallianwala Bagh massacre (also known as the Amritsar took place on April 1919 when British Indian Army fired machine guns on unarmed protesters). According to poemhunter, Tagore is 9th on the list of “TOP 500 POETS”. 

Poem (Text)

Have you not heard his silent steps?

He comes, comes, ever comes.

Every moment and every age,

every day and every night he comes, comes, ever comes.

Many a song have I sung in many a mood of mind,

but all their notes have always proclaimed,

'He comes, comes, ever comes.'

In the fragrant days of sunny April through the forest path he comes,

comes, ever comes.

In the rainy gloom of July nights on the thundering chariot of clouds

he comes, comes, ever comes.

In sorrow after sorrow it is his steps that press upon my heart,

and it is the golden touch of his feet that makes my joy to shine.

Summary of the Poem:

Tagore asks his readers whether they have ever experienced the constantly approaching Silent Steps regardless of age and time. In his songs regardless of his ‘mood of mind’ Tagore felt His sympathetic presence. The Silent Steps approach regardless of the place and season. He comes to the poet when he is in trouble and fills his heart with blessings, and with His touch of Feet rescues him out of the plight.

Theme:

The main focus of the poem is the Almighty God, known by many epithets; Allah, God, Bhagwan, Creator, Soul of the universe etc. He visits His creation all the time and does not let them suffer alone in their miseries. The repetition of the line “he comes, comes, ever comes” intensifies God’s concern and love for the human being.

Conclusion:

This poem strengthens the conceptions: God is Omnipresent (all-pervasive) Omnipotent (all-powerful) and Omniscient (all-knowing). And this idea helps overcome the fear of suffering and pessimism.