In the reed-beds by the river,
I asked, "On this path forlorn
Who are you walking, with a lamp
Guarded by the dress you've worn?
My house is dark, O maid,
Let here your lamp be laid!"
She looked at me a while
With dark eyes in twilight.
Then said, "At close of day
I've come to launch this light."
Through white reeds, I could see
The lamp drift uselessly.

When evening fell, I asked,
"Your house is brightly lit —
So this lamp that you have
To whom will you give it?
My house is dark, O maid,
Let here your lamp be laid!"
She looked at me a while
With her wistful eye.
Then said, "This lamp I've brought
To raise high in the sky."
Up above, I could see
The lamp glow uselessly.

I asked her one more time
On a night without a moon —
"This lamp held to your heart,
You keep carrying for whom?
My house is dark, O maid,
Let here your lamp be laid!"
In the dark, with her dark eyes
For a while she looked at me.
Then said, "This lamp I've brought
To be placed for Diwali."
By a million lamps, I see
Her lamp glow uselessly.