Sarojini Naidu’s “Street Cries” follows an ordinary street from morning to night through the calls of vendors. At dawn, when workers hurry out and fasting men rush past, the cry “BUY BREAD” rings down the street. At noon, in the harsh heat when birds fall silent and throats are dry, “BUY FRUIT” calls out as a promise of cool relief. By night, as stars appear over bazaars and lovers sit on lit roof-terraces, the cry becomes “BUY FLOWERS.” The speaker seems delighted by how these humble voices belong to the city’s rhythm—each cry answers a particular need. The mood moves from brisk morning energy, to drowsy, thirsting noon, to romantic evening. The street itself shifts from eager to panting to singing, as if the whole place responds emotionally to the time of day.
Street Cries — Summary
When dawn's first cymbals beat upon the sky, Rousing the world to labour's various cry, To tend the flock, to bind the mellowing grain, From ardent toil to forge a little gain, And fasting men go forth on hurrying feet, BUY BREAD, BUY BREAD, rings down the eager street.
When the earth falters and the waters swoon With the implacable radiance of noon, And in dim shelters koils hush their notes, And the faint, thirsting blood in languid throats Craves liquid succour from the cruel heat, BUY FRUIT, BUY FRUIT, steals down the panting street.
When twilight twinkling o'er the gay bazaars, Unfurls a sudden canopy of stars, When lutes are strung and fragrant torches lit On white roof-terraces where lovers sit Drinking together of life's poignant sweet, BUY FLOWERS, BUY FLOWERS, floats down the singing street.