Deity of the ruined temple!
The broken strings of Vina
sing no more your praise.
The bells in the evening proclaim
not your time of worship.
The air is still and silent about you.
In your desolate dwelling
comes the vagrant spring breeze.
It brings the tidings of flowers --
the flowers that for your worship are offered no more.
Your worshipper of old wanders
ever longing for favour
still refused.
In the eventide, when fires and shadows mingle
with the gloom of dust,
he wearily comes back to the ruined temple
with hunger in his heart.
Many a festival day comes to you in silence,
deity of the ruined temple.
Many a night of worship goes away
with lamp unlit.
Many new images are built by masters of cunning art
and carried to the holy stream of oblivion
when their time is come.
Only the deity of the ruined temple
remains unworshipped in deathless neglect.