Overhead Poetry

Mukti

What deep dishonour that the soul should have

Its passion moulded by a moon of change

And all its massive purpose be a wave

Ruled by time's gilded glamours that estrange

Being from its true goal of motionless

Eternity ecstatic and alone,

Poised in calm plenitudes of consciousness—

A sea unheard where spume nor spray is blown!

Be still, oceanic heart, withdraw thy sense

From fickle lure of outward fulgencies.

Clasp not in vain the myriad earth to appease

The hunger of thy God-profundities:

Not there but in self-rapturous suspense

Of all desire is thy omnipotence!

Sri Aurobindo's Comment

"Congratulations! It is an exceedingly good sonnet—you have got the sonnet movement very well."

Originally, line 7 ran:

Poised in calm vastitude of consciousness.

Sri Aurobindo was asked if "plenitude" would be better in place of "vastitude". He replied:

" 'Vastitude' is better than 'plenitude'—but 'plenitudes' (the plural) would perhaps be best. The singular gives a too abstract and philosophical turn—the plural suggests something concrete and experienceable."

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