Ode to the Cloud

By S. K. DAS
(Translated by L. N. Sahu from the original in Oriya)

[Champu–a harmonious blend of poetry and music–constitutes a distinctive form in Oriya literature and was introduced by Kavisurya, a poet born in 1789 A. D. The following is a free rendering into English of a Champu picked up from the poet’s Sangit Kalpalata.]

Why dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud!
Thou hast not earned a jot of the softer wealth of my
Love, O Cloud!

See’st thou the girdle of pearls that
adorn my Love’s breast?
Alas! with what sense dost thou garland the
rugged mountain’s crest
With dewy drops? O Cloud!
Why dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud?

Is there anyone on earth, or in the world below
or in heaven above
Can match the moments of the frolicsome
brow of my young Love?
The rainbow thou dost flaunt
Is but an empty vaunt.
Then, O Cloud!
Why dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud?

Why dost thou brag and bluster?
Thy solace is but the lightning’s sport?
Behold her thou a little–her
frail frame’s lustre,
From beneath her blue clothes’ cluster!
Then, O Cloud!
Why dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud?

Hitchest thou thy hope on thy heavy hails?
But that also fails.
Sees’t thou not the lovely trails
On her lips that her half-blown smile regales?
Then, why, O Cloud,
Dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud?

Think’st thou there’s none thy glossy dark to surpass?
Ah, can it be lovelier than the
sapphire Chamar, the braid of my love, my lass?
Then, why, O Cloud!
Dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud!

Wherefore art thou so proud that thou art cool?–
Sayeth Balukesh, the Raja of Saran.
Hast not thou heard of the virtues of my Love, my soul?
Then, why, O cloud!
Dost thou blow thy trumpet thus aloud?