kyano jamini na jatay - The Shame

Before the night’s over why wasn’t I awakened?

I die of shame as the day grows

These shame-laden feet how can they carry me home?

By the cascading sun, the shefali have scattered,

The loosened kamini barely clinging to the branches.

The candle-light is relieved by the touch of the morning breeze

The bashful moon has taken refuge in a corner of the sky

The birds have sung the welcoming song of the dawn –

The village brides are out to fetch water -

With my hair undone, how shall I return?