A strong son of lightning came down to the earth with fire-feet of swiftness splendid;
Light was born in a womb and thunder’s force filled a human frame.
The calm speed of heaven, the sweet greatness, pure passion, winged power had descended;
All the gods in a mortal body dwelt, bore a single name.
A wide wave of movement stirred all the dim globe in each glad and dreaming fold.
Life was cast into grandeur, ocean hands took the wheels of Time.
Man’s soul was again a bright charioteer of days hired by gods impetuous, bold,
Hurled by One on His storm-winged ways, a shaft aimed at heights sublime.
The old tablets clanging fell, ancient slow Nature’s dead wall was rent asunder,
God renewed himself in a world of young beauty, thought and flame:
Divine voices spoke on men’s lips, the heart woke to white dawns of gleaming wonder,
Air a robe of splendour, breath a joy, life a godlike game.
Sri Aurobindo: Collected Poems
