Nilakshi’s poem about the fall of a big tree acquires a new dimension. Simple and soulful verse, it operates at many layers.
My mother often said
When a big tree falls
There is more devastation
To others than itself…
When a big tree fell
Were you there when
I shook the big tree,
As it fell ferociously,
Tearing, crushing,
Trampling the undergrowth?
When a big tree fell
There was the painful
Ripping off of the vines
That bind, often choke
The grind, the tear,
The uneasy silence
When the big tree fell
After the cra-ca-cack
Of the branches
It’s agony to stand there and watch
The scatter of debris
Naked roots
When the big tree fell
I tried to salvage
Leaves and fruit
Scattered, shattered
Broken , wrecked….
Moist with the mud
Of hard soil, now soft
With its insides strewn all over
When the big tree fell
I tried picking up
The pulpy fruit but one
It’s heart was crushed
It called for help
And I slowly turned
When the big tree fell
I took it home
Touched and cleaned
Soaked and petted it
But I knew it would
Slowly go where all fruits go
When the big tree fell
I thought that was all
But when I turned
I saw another on the branch
Not fallen or burst
But calling to me
When the big tree fell
Again I went
And got it back
Cleaned and kissed it
Wiped and shone it
And kept it by
When the big tree fell
And then I looked
Out of the window
At the giant vine
Tied to the tree
Wilting slowly
When the big tree fell
It was an agony
Of sorrows and scars
Of memory and loss
Of years and years
Of mutual trust…
When the big tree fell
I had to rush now
Took some help
Tied the vine
Back in place
With the tree upright
When the big tree fell.
The scars do heal
The vine does shine
The fruit begins
To grow again
With the memory of
When the big tree fell
Now I’m the gardener
Taking care
Watering, weeding
Turning the soil
With purer air
Waiting for the big tree tall
Picture design Anumita Roy
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