Lamp of my life, the lips of Death
Hath blown thee out with their sudden breath;
Naught shall revive thy vanished spark
Love, must I dwell in the living dark?
Tree of my life, Death’s cruel foot
Hath crushed thee down to thy hidden root;
Nought shall restore thy glory fled
Shall the blossom live when the tree is dead?
Life of my life, Death’s bitter sword
Hath severed us like a broken word,
Rent us in twain who are but one
Shall the flesh survive when the soul is gone?
– Sarojini Naidu