# XXIII explained — Gitanjali

> Chapter companion for Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.

## What happens

On a stormy night, the poet anxiously awaits the arrival of a beloved divine presence, peering into the darkness and wondering about the path the divine must travel to reach him.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Pain of Separation and Longing

The poet's sleepless night and anxious waiting express deep longing for the divine beloved.

### Divine Love and Devotion

The stormy night is framed as a journey of love, with the poet's devotion shown through his vigil.

## Character check-ins

### The Poet

The speaker who waits and watches through the stormy night.

### The Divine

The beloved friend journeying through the storm.

## Key lines

> Art thou abroad on this stormy night on thy journey of love, my friend?

Are you out in this stormy night traveling for love, my friend?

_The poet addresses the divine directly, imagining a love-driven journey through the storm._

> Ever and again I open my door and look out on the darkness, my friend!

Again and again I open my door and gaze into the darkness, my friend!

_The poet's repeated action shows his restless anticipation._

> I wonder where lies thy path! By what dim shore of the ink-black river, by what far edge of the frowning forest, through what mazy depth of gloom art thou threading thy course to come to me, my friend?

I wonder where your path is! Along what dark riverbank, past what distant forest edge, through what tangled depths of darkness are you making your way to reach me, my friend?

_The poet vividly imagines the difficult and mysterious route the divine must take._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gitanjali_se/chapters/xxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gitanjali_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gitanjali_se/chapters