The Rainy Season

In whom longing for the Beloved hath taken abode, Every moment his body becometh feeble and enervated. A stream of tears constantly flows from his eyes; The pangs of pain ceaselessly smart his body and mind. Like rivers in Sawan and Bhadon, overflows the stream of my love. Day and night I long for Him and tears fall like incessant rain. The pain for my Beloved increasingly penetrates my being every moment; My attention can be transfixed on nought but him, Even as the moon bird never gets satiated by looking at the moon. Dark clouds gather and burst with thunder, and lightning dazzles the eyes. The peacock crows in delight and the rain bird sings his longing. I yearn for thee evermore, my body keeps wasting away in anguish. When I listen to the Sound, I lose my patience and I write to my Beloved. With mind and soul as my couriers, I send my message to His inaccessible abode. When I hear the tidings of His well-being, My heart is filled with love and delight. Ever since this yearning for the Lord has taken hold of me, I have severed all connections with the world. [Translation by S. L. Sondhi]