1.1

“DARK IS THIS forest of blackwood trees, and dark
tonight the cloud-cluttered sky.

He’s frightened,” Nanda said. “Radha, you should
take him home.”

But Radha and Krishna strayed from the homeward path
and into the woods.

Glory to their clandestine games of love on the banks
of the Yamuna!

I am the poet Jaya·deva, king of bards, venerating
Padmavati’s feet;
the abode of my thoughts has been well furnished
with tales by the Goddess of the Word;

And I composed this lay, a love story
about the Goddess and the God
Radha and Krishna.*

If your heart relishes recollections of Lord Krishna,
and if you’re curious about the arts of erotic love
as well,

Then listen to Jaya·deva’s eloquent poem—
a pretty posy of words, sweet and melodious.

Sharana is applauded for complex constructions,
and Professor Go·vardhana is well-versed in erotica;
celebrated for upholding the Veda, Dhoyi is our
poet laureate,

Uma·pati·dhara’s poetry is flowery; but Jaya·deva
has the deepest understanding of poetic refinement.*