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That Indian Sweet Almond Tree

It stood magnificently in front of our Churchyard, Like the sacred fig tree before any temple-yard; My going to church, as a boy, had no other reason, Than picking all bird-dropped fruits, as a mission; Collecting as many as possible hastily, Pushing them into my knickers-pocket quietly; Thinking of them all through the Holy Mass, Waiting for the priest to say the final grace; Hurrying to a corner where no humans see, Place, as lonely as the very loneliness could be; Savouring the sour-sweet taste spread over it, Then breaking it with stones to get the nuts in it; Quantity of it equaled as little as a butter drip, Or as much as ten mustard seeds put as a strip; Relishing it as though nectar of ancient sages, Coming down to mine tongue from all the ages; In youth tastes changed and matters mattered, And this almond became very old fashioned; Burgers, Pizzas, hotdogs and all tasted well, Though, consuming them, I often was unwell; I saw boys and girls picking almonds as I did, And hurrying to corners and I understood; The ‘grown-up’ in me prohibited me from doing so, It’s hence I hid my child within, as a rainbow; Abroad, I almost forgot the Indian almond tree, As within me, I was bored and never really free; I had my worries of marriage and children, Who’d care for a tree with no monetary gain? It’s when I went to my home town casually, It’s under that tree I found my future lily; We married and got children who grew, Both with tastes so modern and new; Yet, it’s when once we visited the churchyard, My younger lingered over that fruit so thrilled; We offered him sweet almonds from stores, And supermarkets that made him to uproar; He collected for long as much as he could, And each little one he collected for him he hid; He too, later, had his dreams and worries, Sophistications seismically so seduce, seize; Church now demolished and grounds cleared, For newer one to construct all well renewed; I found this almond tree got fully uprooted, And thrown into a corner like an old harp muted; I cried and cried till I could cover the tears, As though I’d hidden my feelings for many years… 30 July 2021 Finding Your Muse Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Regina McIntosh

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 8/5/2021 11:12:00 AM
This amazing tree nourished you in life and now that it is "uprooted" it continues to nourish you with inspiration! Wonderfully written Chris. Congratulations on your win!
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Date: 8/4/2021 9:29:00 PM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... making me nostalgic of a childhood "haven." God bless you.
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Date: 8/3/2021 9:26:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. What a wonderful story/write. "Love It" This made me think about a book and a tree from many years ago. Too bad the tree had to go. I would have also cried. Have a blessed day with this win.
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Date: 8/3/2021 8:36:00 AM
You evoke so well a time long past, and the deep sadness of losing our glorious childhoods...congrats on your win!
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Date: 8/3/2021 4:25:00 AM
Beautiful tribute to the churchyard and her compassionate almond tree "I had my worries of marriage and children, Who’d care for a tree with no monetary gain?" - I know that you did. Well earned win!
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Date: 8/2/2021 5:59:00 PM
This is amazing. A light in the darkness. God bless you friend and Congrats on your win. Love, Gina
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Date: 8/2/2021 1:28:00 PM
Congratulations, Dear Christuraj. I read your poem many times - and it's marvellous. The last part where the tree was uprooted made me almost tearful - I can understand how dear a tree could be, and how much impact childhood memories can have on a poetic soul. Best wishes ~ Mala
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Date: 8/2/2021 12:44:00 PM
Beautiful tribute to an almond tree which touched lives with nourishment of body + soul. Best wishes, Brian
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Date: 8/2/2021 7:21:00 AM
It's marvellous. The last seven lines have the crux of the poem so beautifully written. Loved it! Congratulations on your win
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Alex Avatar
Christuraj Alex
Date: 8/2/2021 10:49:00 AM
Thank you very much.
Date: 8/2/2021 6:35:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win.
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Alex Avatar
Christuraj Alex
Date: 8/2/2021 10:48:00 AM
Thank you very much.
Date: 7/30/2021 11:03:00 PM
That's so sweet... I could recall the good old memories where we used to collect the fruits from our neighbor's almond tree.. Beautifully described... Though that tree was uprooted, I am sure it will be in your memories forever... Thanks for sharing this lovely poetry... Reads like a winner to me...
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Alex Avatar
Christuraj Alex
Date: 7/31/2021 5:06:00 AM
Thank you very much.
Date: 7/30/2021 9:05:00 PM
Delightful! Brought back old memories of climbing neem tree to pluck and eat it's fruit. When young, we would pick fallen ripe fruits from mud and eat. Now things have changed.
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Alex Avatar
Christuraj Alex
Date: 7/31/2021 5:06:00 AM
Thank you very much for the comments.

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