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.