Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Tagore on death: In rememberance of Wayne Soon, rest in peace

It is with a heavy heart but a hopeful spirit that I share a poem by one of my favorite poets - the great Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). 'Farewell' is one of 103-157 poems/songs in Tagore's Gitanjali or `song offerings'.

I dedicate this post to Wayne Soon. Wayne was a student in my INF 1003 class at the University of Toronto this fall. He is remembered and celebrated by his colleagues and teachers as a top scholar. May he rest in peace.

Farewell

I have got my leave. Bid me farewell, my brothers!
I bow to you all and take my departure.
Here I give back the keys of my door
---and I give up all claims to my house.
I only ask for last kind words from you.
We were neighbors for long,
but I received more than I could give.
Now the day has dawned
and the lamp that lit my dark corner is out.
A summons has come and I am ready for my journey.