The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death, and the Spring

Sarojini Naidu, The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death, and the Spring, London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1928

pp.103; hardbound with dust jacket
9.1 x 5.9 x 0.5 in (23.2 x 15 x 1.5 cm)

Signed "Sarojini Naidu 1931" on front endpaper

Together with a stiff card loosely inserted, also signed by Naidu. Inscribed "For a friend of my friend Adelaide Ebdell from Sarojini Naidu"

With a presentation inscription from Ebdell to her friend for whom the book was signed by Naidu. Also loosely inserted is a cutting of a Times obituary of Naidu dated 3.3.49. She had died on 2 March 1949.

This rare book consists of four sections of verse viz. Songs of Love & Death, Songs of the Springtime, Indian folk-songs, and Songs of Life. Each work is rooted in the perennial current of Indian philosophy, folklore, nature, music, and verse.

The Songs of Springtime are a celebration of nature and accentuate the intimate association with plants & flowers in Sarojini Naidu's life & poetry. Several poems in this set are devoted to specific plants and flowers. The rich history of Hyderabad, the land of Sarojini Naidu's birth, also inspired the creation of some moving poems featured in this book.