Canto 117The End?

Book 16. Part Seven - Pondicherry Circa 1927 – 1947

Is this the end of all that we have been,

And all we did or dreamed, —

A name unremembered and a form undone, —

Is this the end?

5A body rotting under a slab of stone

Or turned to ash in fire,

A mind dissolved, lost its forgotten thoughts, —

Is this the end?

Our little hours that were and are no more,

10Our passions once so high

Dying mocked by the still earth and calm sunshine, —

Is this the end?

Our yearnings for the human Godward climb

Passing to other hearts

15Deceived, while sinks towards death and hell the world, —

Is this the end?

Fallen is the harp; shattered it lies and mute;

Is the unseen player dead?

Because the tree is felled where the bird sang,

20Must the song too hush?

One in the mind who planned and willed and thought,

Worked to reshape earth’s fate,

One in the heart who loved and yearned and hoped,

Does he too end?

25The Immortal in the mortal is his Name;

An artist Godhead here

Ever remoulds himself in diviner shapes,

Unwilling to cease

Till all is done for which the stars were made,

30Till the heart discovers God

And soul knows itself. And even then

There is no end.