Just a Tree - a Requiem
Someone who knows
Said You were an old ancient Tree,
But at the time, it didn’t really matter,
Or seem important to me.
I knew You only for a very short time
and just a little…
You see.
Your transparent light green baby hands
Outside my window Waving
And dancing, shaking and playing,
Continuously.
I loved to take refuge
Under your Grandmothers arms,
Especially in a Earth-quaking storm
And would feel peaceful, safe and calm.
I could sense a pulse, distant yet warm,
And felt alive again when I was lost or drained.
Under your branches, even enjoyed the music
Of the cool rhythmic rain.
Your strong-soft limbs stretched
Ever grateful to the Sky,
Even when wet or bitter cold
You never seemed to complain,
Or even ask why.
One day came I back from work - shattered:
You were suddenly gone!
I wept like a child with a painful lump,
In my throat and chest,
And felt sick and battered,
Because where You once proudly stood
Is now, just a perfect, little stump.
And cried: what have they done!
And my neighbour simply laughed
And said: “why the fuss and the worry”?
But I wasn’t here to save You and feel ashamed
Oh, I’m so sorry
Because,
I didn’t even know, your name.
And I know these words won’t do You justice
But I loved You - just the same.
Even when before the night was done
I’d see the tips of your branches gently, sway
Welcoming me and the sun
Heralding a new and undivulged day.
I loved the morning sounds of the birds
In your hands and fingers,
Carefree, light and playful singers
With their timeless song,
And would continue to linger,
In my bed for much too long.
I know You bled, when lovers carved hearts
And words on your soft wooden trunk.
And Survived, poisonous exhaust fumes
That corroded and stunk.
But:
The hottest Summer couldn’t melt You,
The snow and ice couldn’t freeze You
The fiercest storms couldn’t break You,
(You would effortlessly, dance and bend).
But then came the man – with his little electric saw
And killed, and took away my nameless friend.
I so wished I had time to know You more.
Although You were supple, slender
Like a Woman or a dancer,
I felt your strength with my every breath,
Your childlike spirit – free innocent, wild
Is what caused your sudden death.
Your leaves, for them
Were simply a disturbance and a mess,
Untidy, a nuisance
An unnecessary stress.
And as your feet needed to stretch and grow
And made bulges in their perfect grey
Car-park,
It was clear: You had to go.
They never saw any beauty
In your rough Elephant skin
And couldn’t sense your subtle, royal grace.
You were just in the way -
Right there…
Unnecessary - and in the wrong place.
And were never even aware
What You did - that You cleaned our air!
We take so much for granted
And are too busy to care.
They never noticed your fragrant blossoms
In early Spring.
Never saw You clothed and majestic in deep shades of green
In Summer.
Never saw the magnificent fire reds and orange
In Autumn.
And were never touched by your naked, vulnerable strength
In Winter.
I’m so happy that I met You
Because my life felt stuck and bare,
Though I didn’t get everything
That You could share -
Because I’m half asleep, in my head
And didn’t quite believe, trust or dare.
Yet, could still be deeply touched -
Wow! I’m so grateful - even today.
And with the Beetles, Ants, Birds and Squirrels…
I miss You, even though, You feel far away.
So many old trees and forests
Are killed every day
My heart sad, hopeless
And I don’t know what to say
To all the living beings and ancient tribes
Who don’t understand
Why their lives brutally destroyed
And whose fate, is in our hands.
Maybe we can blame the poor farmers
Who just need more land?
And shouldn’t Gen manipulated Soya
Now be finally banned?
We can’t seem to live
Without petrol cars and diesel machines.
And are addicted to our newspapers
And glossy magazines.
And our paper silky soft
For our sensitive arses and noses.
We dine at restaurants with throwaway napkins
That have pictures of Posies
And vases full, of synthetic Roses.
And are we pampered and spoiled?
Because we choose to eat
Everything out of plastic
And chocolate made with yummy, palm oil?
How are we going to stop
This suicidal destruction?
How will we end
This plague of corruption?
Can’t we take a little discomfort
Change and disruption?
Are we still so asleep, numb and unaware?
That we take so much for granted
And just too busy –
To feel, or care?
Or do we have to wait
Till the rivers are stinking and dry
And we can’t breathe the air
Or even see the sky?
And the Wales and Dolphins
Cry as they slowly die
In garbage filled seas.
And the cows, pigs and chickens, just machines
In perfect. soulless, poisonous Factories.
And our Earth is a desert - barren, lifeless
No animals, birds, plants, flowers or Trees.
© Sangeet Portals 2016
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