Jacaranda Tree

Spread high and wide against the noonday sun The jacaranda tree displays its mauve foliage All nature knows that August has finally come Students on their way back again to college On the ground beneath the generous tree The old woman selling the bags of maize Out of school children are running free A flock of goats on the long acre graze European man and woman on the road How are you shouts the native child Old man on bicycle with heavy load Dusty clothes all worn and soiled Coloured plumaged birds flit here and there Darting in and out through perfumed leaves The happy chirping is their daily prayer The tranquil air their message receives Windy Autumn is now about to fade away And leave behind a flowerless silent tree We had some pleasure if only for a day And know that beauty can make us free