Let All the Strains of Joy by Rabindranath Tagore (Poem, Summary & Analysis)

 

Let All the Strains of Joy

by Rabindranath Tagore

(Poem, Summary & Analysis) 

Let All the Strains of Joy

Let all the strains of joy mingle in my last song - the joy that makes the earth flow over in the riotous excess of the grass, the joy that sets the twin brothers, life and death, dancing over the wide world, the joy that sweeps in with the tempest, shaking and waking all life with laughter, the joy that sits still with its tears on the open red lotus of pain, and the joy that throws everything it has upon the dust, and knows not a word.

Summary

Tagore's uniqueness lies in the fact that his writing is always filled with joy. Even when there is a little bit of sorrow, he manages to find joy within that pain. This is what he conveys in this poem. He desires his final song to be brimming with pure joy, including the joy that arises from suffering. Joy exists abundantly all over the Earth and can be seen flourishing in the form of grass everywhere. The green grass symbolizes growth, renewal, vitality, beauty, birth, and joy. Tagore wants to incorporate this lively joy into his song. He appeals for the joy of creation and destruction, life and death to be present alongside his own joy. The joy of creation is undoubtedly moving, but the joy of death is also magnificent. For Tagore, death is not the end of life, but rather a gateway through which life constantly renews itself. Just as God delights in creation, He also revels in death, and His joy is universal. Tagore wishes for this universal joy to blend with his own joy in his song. 

The tempest, which symbolizes the violence, in itself has a joy. It uproots and shakes the earth but dies so joyfully. The open red lotus weeps with pain. But it's tears are the tears of joy. The poet appeals this violent and painful joy to share his poetic joy. The joy of destruction which through everything to dust is again invoked to be there in his last song.

Analysis

The poet is finding happiness in everything. The grass, life and death, storms, red lotus, and dust are all things created by God. Tagore finds joy in God's creation. Since God created the world with joy, humans should also be happy with this universal joy. In his final song, he calls upon the joy of creation and destruction to join him in his happiness.

Tagore has portrayed death and destruction in a wonderful way. He presents both of them with a positive attitude. He believes that experiencing sorrow allows a person to see the beauty of nature more clearly. He understands that death is a natural part of life, and it doesn't mean that anything is lost. Instead, it serves as a channel through which life continues to flow and renew itself. So he asks all sources of joy to assist him in singing a joyful song to praise the creator of all joys.