The Sandal Tree

To hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature In an enchanting garden Stood a slim sandal tree With delicate branches Reaching towards the sky Wind rustled thru it To carry its perfume On her wings Far and wide Birds nestled among The pretty leaves To live their lives In happiness and peace Near its roots Lived a big black asp Distrusted by all Alone in its misery He slithered up the sandal And wrapped around Its perfumed trunk And closed its eyes For many days He stayed like that In hope to take A little perfume from the tree No matter how much He tried and tried But could not get The delicate aroma Nor would the Gentle sandal tree Get the poison From its body Hunger made him leave And all let out a sigh For again the sandal Stood erect to Spread its perfume Far and wide On the wings of wind By-Tahera Mannan 19/04/2011 For Constance’s ‘The Tree’ contest