The Bird of Time 1912 is a poetry collection by Sarojini Naidu. Naidus second book of English verse is steeped in the Romantic tradition while entirely conscious of the present political strife of her native India. From songs of love to portraits of urban life Naidus poems reflect her commitment to feeling both for herself and for others. Traditional and modern The Bird of Time is a powerful collection from a young poet on the brink of an impassioned life in politics. O Bird of Time on your fruitful bough What are the songs you sing . . . Songs of the glory and gladness of life Of poignant sorrow and passionate strife And the lilting joy of the spring... In this mysterious ode Naidu addresses the themes of her own multitudinous poemslife love grief and nature among countless others. Is the Bird of Time her muse or a symbol for poetry itself How can a poem express the pride of a soul that has conquered fate As in much of Naidus poetry the symbolic maintains its distance in order to reflect a deeper perhaps even personal truth. To describe the poem to assign it meaning would ultimately negate the need for poetry itself whose powers must remain at least partially veiled. Elsewhere in the collection In the Bazaars of Hyderabad reflects her commitment to the struggle for Indian independence as it celebrates the homegrown produce and handmade wares of a proud and lively people. Moving along the street she sings to vendors goldsmiths and musicians alike concluding before a group of flowergirls whose work serves weddings and funerals. Beneath this vibrant imagery is a call to action for the Swadeshi movement a boycott of foreign goods designed to strike a blow against British commerce. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of Sarojini Naidus The Bird of Time is a classic work of Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.