THE ZOO—By Harindranath Chattopadhyaya

Today I saw the azure skies

Reflected in a monkey’s eyes

And also in a fleckless dove’s

And in a peacock’s and a deer’s . . . .

For all these myriad eyes are Love’s

Which sparkle through the dark of years.

Today I thought I saw God

Start flame-like within a tiger’s heart,

And saw His old celestial smile

In the grey-hearted crocodile.

And saw Him like a splendour

Wake in the brown wriggle of a snake.

And for feet, I saw Him span

A gold bridge in the heart of man.

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