As though holding some gesture in my mind alone from city’s road to road
Much I have walked: much I have seen the correctness of moving trams and buses
Then leaving the road they know peace and withdraw into their worlds of sleep.
All night the gaslight knowing its duty burns in good conscience
No one errs – brick home signboard door window terrace
Becoming silent know the need for sleep under a sky.
Alone walking the road the deep peace of these in my heart I have known.
Was late at night: Many stars the heads of monuments and minarets
Have circled in silence. If anything more simple more perfect than this
I have seen I wonder: a sprinkling of stars and monument-peopled Calcutta?
My eyes are lowered – quietly burns my cigar – much dust and straw in the wind.
Shutting my eyes I step aside – from the tree many brown dry leaves
Have flown. In Babylon alone thus I have walked through night
For some reason. Why, today after a thousand thousand tired years I am yet to understand.
