Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 2. 1937

Letter ID: 1955

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

May 30, 1937

By the way, you have absolutely forgotten to send that “Presse Médicale” with your notes [2.2.37]. Brooding over it?

No. Went to limbo.

I have progressed much, you say? Very glad and thank you, Sir. But the latest poems don’t seem to come to much, do they?

What the big H do you mean? Don’t come to much? What did you expect more than the praise that has been given? Want to be told that Homer, Aeschylus and Shakespeare all rolled into one were not a patch on you? What’s the idea?

The poem which you have marked throughout with single and double marginal lines, is only a fine sonnet?... Not that I mind very much, but I was surprised to see the remark. Can you clarify?

Again what the damn do you mean? When an English poet achieves a fine sonnet, he feels like a peacock and spreads his tail – and you say “only a fine sonnet”. Well, I’m damned! Surprised myself to see your remark on my remark.

About the poem of yesterday, I don’t feel like changing the last line. The poem hasn’t come to much except as an exercise. You have said nothing about it.

Don’t talk blithering nonsense. Change that line and send the poem back to me.

D seems to be wounded by our and your silence. Do you think he may be more Pondicherry-minded by a little connection: soothing words, one or two poems, etc.?

Yes. Better send some soothing remarks from time to time.

May I know why Mother says No to N.P.’s operation? I want to know your viewpoint. Hydrocele operations are supposed to be without any risk at all. If we leave it as it is, it will grow bigger.

What operation? tapping? I have known cases of hydrocele operation being performed times and times but the thing always came back. It is N.P. who is asking for operation?