Winter is Now Here

Stacks of ripe rice and sugar-cane cover the earth

The air rings with the hidden calls of curlews:

Love grows exuberant: Dear to lovely women,

Winter is now here; hear now, my love.

People close their windows tight, light fires,

Keep warm in the sun and wear heavy garments:

Men find the company of youthful women

Pleasing at this time of the year.

This wintry season that abounds with sweet rice,

and sugar-cane,

and mounds of dark palm-sugar dainties:

when Love waxes proud

and Love’s sport is at fever-pitch;

when the anguish is intense of parted lovers:

May this season be to you ever auspicious.

Cantos 1, 2 and 16 of the Gathering of the Seasons by Kālidāsa (5th century CE)