If it is not my portion to meet thee in this my life (Song 79) by Rabindranath Tagore (Poem, Summary & Analysis)

 

If it is not my portion to meet thee in this my life (Song 79) by Rabindranath Tagore (Poem, Summary & Analysis) 

If it is not my portion to meet thee in this my life then let me ever feel that I have missed thy sight - let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

As my days pass in the crowded market of this world and my hands grow full with the daily profits, let me ever feel that I have gained nothing - let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

When I sit by the roadside, tired and panting, when I spread my bed low in the dust, let me ever feel that the long journey is still before me - let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

When my rooms have been decked out and the flutes sound and the laughter there is loud, let me ever feel that I have not invited thee to my house - let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

If it is not my portion to meet thee in this my life then let me ever feel that I have missed thy sight - let me not forget for a moment, let me carry the pangs of this sorrow in my dreams and in my wakeful hours.

 

Summary

The song expresses sadness, depression, and the pain of being apart. Tagore feels sorrow because he knows he can never meet his beloved God on this earth. He wants to always remember this separation and never forget the pain of being apart from God. Even when he gains success in life, the sadness of being away from God makes him feel empty. He believes he still has a long way to go and that this feeling of restlessness will always remind him of his separation from God. Even during happy moments, he feels the pain inside. The sounds of laughter and music make him realize that he has not invited God into his life.

 

Critical Analysis

The poet understands that uniting with God, the all-powerful, is not possible in our physical form on earth. He wants to remember this loss and never forget his goal of being with God. He believes that happiness from success, money, and fun shouldn't distract him from his desire to be one with the spiritual world. Even in his daily life, he wants to feel this loss, so that earthly pleasures don’t take away his love for spiritual joy. He misses God and feels the pain of this separation.