Moments

A poem by Sri Aurobindo


Moments

If perfect moments on the peak of things,
    These tops of knowledge, greatness, ecstasy,
    Are only moments, this too enough could be.
I have assumed the rapid flaming wings
Of souls whom the Ignorance black-robed Nature brings
    And the frail littleness of mortality
    Can bind not always; a high sovereignty
Makes them awhile creation's radiant kings.

These momentary upliftings of the soul
    Prepare the spirit's glorious permanence.
    The peace of God, a great still transience,
        Is now my being's boundless atmosphere.
All parts are gathered into a timeless whole;
        All moments last in an eternal Year.

Moments

If perfect moments on the peak of things,
    These tops of knowledge, greatness, ecstasy,
    Are only moments, this too enough might be.
I have put on the rapid flaming wings
Of souls whom the Ignorance black-robed Nature brings
    And the frail littleness of mortality
    Can bind not always. A high sovereignty
Makes them awhile creation's radiant kings.

These momentary upliftings of the soul
    Prepare the spirit's glorious permanence.
        The peace of God, a mighty transience,
Is now my spirit's boundless atmosphere.
    All parts are gathered into a timeless whole;
        All moments blaze in an eternal year.



Part VII : Pondicherry (Circa 1927-1947) > Sonnets from Manuscripts (Circa 1934-1947)   




How to read the color-coded changes below? 1. SABCL version : lines with any changes & specific changes 2. CWSA version : lines with any changes & specific changes

Sri-Aurobindo/books/collected-poems/moments.txt CHANGED
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
1
1
  Moments
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2
  If perfect moments on the peak of things,
3
3
  These tops of knowledge, greatness, ecstasy,
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- Are only moments, this too enough could be.
5
- I have assumed the rapid flaming wings
4
+ Are only moments, this too enough might be.
5
+ I have put on the rapid flaming wings
6
6
  Of souls whom the Ignorance black-robed Nature brings
7
7
  And the frail littleness of mortality
8
- Can bind not always; a high sovereignty
8
+ Can bind not always. A high sovereignty
9
9
  Makes them awhile creation's radiant kings.
10
10
  These momentary upliftings of the soul
11
11
  Prepare the spirit's glorious permanence.
12
- The peace of God, a great still transience,
13
- Is now my being's boundless atmosphere.
12
+ The peace of God, a mighty transience,
13
+ Is now my spirit's boundless atmosphere.
14
14
  All parts are gathered into a timeless whole;
15
- All moments last in an eternal Year.
15
+ All moments blaze in an eternal year.

NOTES FROM EDITOR

29 September 1939, revised 2 October. Two handwritten manuscripts.