Inspired by one of Kālidāsa‘s (considered among Sanskrit’s greatest poets) most famous masterpieces, here’s my 21st century English version, with creative license.
O grey cloud over my head
Rise up, won’t you, and carry a message from me
To my beloved across the seven seas
And tell me of your journey as you navigate beyond
Relaying back the sights you see
For me to see your every step in my mind’s eye
But wait, change your complexion as you go
To white, exuberant cumulus
She must not see me in you this way
My heart says thank you
As you set forth
And I can feel my spirits lift
As you start floating away
Do you see mountains tall & rivers wide?
What more do you see?
Deserts and meadows and forests wild?
Forces of the Universe that keep us apart?
The changing of the seasons?
The waxing & waning of the moon?
Symbols of life, destiny, hopes and moods?
Oceans, a mass of swirling currents?
The swell of the tides?
Stars aplenty, galaxies beyond?
The future, unknown
Tell me, can you spot her fair land now?
Does the colour reflect her face?
Is it as clear as her heart?
The shooting star that’s accompanying you?
Let it convey to her that my wish is her love
Hurry onwards, make haste
As you get closer
My heartbeat accelerates its pace
Can you see her town?
How different is it from mine?
I see it is summer there
Can you convince the weather gods to make it an endless one?
Can you see her house?
Wait, cast a glance inside
Does she sleep in peace?
Her bed, is it still single?
Can you send down a shower?
As the scent of petrichor fills her senses
It might draw her out
And have the birds chirp, please
She’ll be happy to hear their sound!
The glorious rainbow that’s burst forth
Is my beloved the proverbial pot of gold at its end?
Can you see her face?
Can the accompanying wind gust just a bit
So I can see her hair flutter seductively in the breeze
Amid a delicate scatter of leaves?
That done, request Brother Sol to send down a sunbeam
So I see the warm glow and the smile it brings
Now, descend slowly as a subtle wisp of mist
And go even closer still
Can you see her eyes?
Move in, look deep into them and tell me:
Does she love me, as I do her?
Meghdoot, by Kālidāsa, is a poem of 111 stanzas. It recounts how a yakṣa, a subject of King Kubera (the god of wealth), after being exiled for a year for neglecting his duties, convinces a passing cloud to take a message to his wife at Alaka on Mount Kailasa in the Himalayas. The yakṣa accomplishes this by describing the many beautiful sights the cloud will see on its northward course, where his wife awaits his return.
Upama Kalidasasya it was said about him. That there is no simile like Kalidas’s. Good one Kunal.
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Thanks so much! Just a random take off , as an experiment
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👏👏
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🙏🏽
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This is so lovely, Kunal!
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Thank you! To be honest, I liked it too, the moment I wrote it 😊
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Beautifully written. Even Kalidasa would have been proud, Kunaldasa! 👌👏
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Hahahhahaha, thanks!
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Wonderful … I hope she does reciprocate soon
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Thank you and thank you, once more!
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🙂 🙂
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Thumbs up for your creative licence. Excellent. and very romantic! Hopefully her bed is still single 😀
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Hahahaha! 😉
Thanks, Chevvy
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Beautiful, my friend 🙏
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Thank you, Syl! And Easter greetings to you & the family!
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Kunal, this one is simply a marvelous composition. I loved the questions you posed to the clouds about your beloved. Great job 👍
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Thank you, Radhika. As always, you’re a great source of encouragement!
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Wonderful.
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Thank you
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Really nice blog..
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😊 thank you!
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Your welcome….
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My goodness this is good!❤️ I am at an utter loss for words, Kunal 😀
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Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am partial to this myself 🙂
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Wow
Lovely poem.
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Thank you, miss 😊P
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Superb Kunal! So wonderful to see you take inspiration from this rich cultural basket and write one of your own 👍👍👍
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Thanks, Vidur. Sometimes, things just happen & the lines all fall into place.
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This is beautiful!!
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Glad you think so! Thanks
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How charming! Very well done, Kunal.
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Thank you, Sonya. It was one of those that just come to you 😊
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Brava.. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
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🙏🏽
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OMG I did not know that meghdoot was so romantic. This was one of the best compositions of yours I have read so far. Truly awesome
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Kya karein, when the muse is like that! All credit to her for inspiring me! Thanks, once more!
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Reblogged this on Romantic Love Poems- Words from Heart and commented:
♥️💐
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Running out of thanks – but yet again, merci, danke, adigato, gracias
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