Bangle sellers are we who bear

The poem begins with the introduction of the bangle sellers, who are narrating their story. They carry their shining loads of bangles to the temple fair.

Our shining loads to the temple fair…

The bangle sellers are bringing their bright and attractive merchandise to sell at a temple fair, suggesting a cultural or traditional setting.

Who will buy these delicate, bright

The sellers are addressing potential buyers and posing a question about who would be interested in purchasing their delicate and bright bangles.

Rainbow-tinted circles of light?

The bangles are described as rainbow-tinted circles of light, indicating a variety of colors and the radiant quality of the jewelry.

Lustrous tokens of radiant lives,

The bangles are portrayed as lustrous tokens symbolizing the radiant and vibrant lives of women who wear them.

For happy daughters and happy wives.

The purpose of the bangles is revealed – they are meant for happy daughters and happy wives, suggesting that they play a role in celebrating and adorning women in different stages of life.

Some are meet for a maiden’s wrist,

The poem now delves into the specific types of bangles, starting with those suitable for a maiden’s wrist.

Silver and blue as the mountain mist,

Describes the color of the bangles for maidens, which is silver and blue, drawing a comparison to the colors of the mountain mist.

Some are flushed like the buds that dream

Another type of bangle is introduced, compared to buds that dream, suggesting a sense of youthful anticipation and dreams.

On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,

The imagery continues, likening the bangles to buds dreaming on the calm forehead of a woodland stream.

Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves

Describes bangles that are radiant with the bloom, possibly signifying the beauty and vitality of youth.

To the limpid glory of new-born leaves

The glow of the bangles is compared to the clear brilliance of new-born leaves, symbolizing freshness and new beginnings.

Some are like fields of sunlit corn,

Introduces bangles associated with fields of sunlit corn, perhaps symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

Meet for a bride on her bridal morn,

Specifies that some bangles are suitable for a bride on her wedding morning, emphasizing the ceremonial and special nature of these bangles.

Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,

Describes bangles that resemble the flame of a marriage fire, connecting the jewelry to the sacred and transformative nature of marriage.

Or, rich with the hue of her heart’s desire,

Suggests that other bangles are rich in the color of a woman’s heart’s desire, possibly symbolizing personal and emotional fulfillment.

Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear,

Uses adjectives to further describe the bangles, highlighting their sound (tinkling) and their visual qualities (luminous, tender, and clear).

Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.

Draws a parallel between the qualities of the bangles and the emotions of a bride, encompassing both joy (laughter) and sorrow (tear) that may come with marriage.

Some are purple and gold flecked grey

Introduces bangles that are purple and gold flecked grey, possibly symbolizing maturity and a blending of life’s experiences.

For she who has journeyed through life midway,

These bangles are associated with a woman who has journeyed through life halfway, suggesting a stage of maturity and experience.

Whose hands have cherished, whose love has blest,

Describes the woman as someone whose hands have cared for and cherished, and whose love has brought blessings.

And cradled fair sons on her faithful breast,

Highlights the maternal role of the woman, emphasizing her nurturing and caring nature.

And serves her household in fruitful pride,

Portrays the woman as one who serves her household with pride and productivity.

And worships the gods at her husband’s side.

Concludes the description of the woman, mentioning her devotion to family and religion, standing by her husband’s side.