Poetry by Chandidas
(From: Love songs of Chandidas: The rebel poet-priest of Bengal)
Whatever the elders at home may say I can never leave my treasure, my Shyam, His beauty and charm have eaten my heart. I constantly fear that someone will come And cut my ribs open to take them away. Forever I am conscious, awake day and night, Even when in lassitude I close my eyes. I am buried in Shyam, the shape of my loves. Who could ever wish me to leave my loving, I would rather eat poison than hear such words. I have explored his beauty and found no shores, But the god at last is standing by me. I will fulfil my dream and let the rest go.