The Mother Tree

Winner of the BlogAdda Mother’s Day contest May 2010




Some say
a new star appears
in the sky
gazing down
in benevolence...
But
now,
no longer
with us,
she is more
the Banyan tree
rooted firmly
in my yard,
in her native Earth....



Gnarled wisdom trunk
rising up
spreading in
green protection
across her children,
and their children,
and new roots,
the earthy sensible sap
absorbed and disseminated
a bit here,
a little more there,
a fine balance
amidst
various willful branches,
some old,
some carefree,
some troubled, and some new.

An understanding shelter
in life storms,
restful shade
on a burning day,
a conspiratory wink
as the neighbor ladies
wound the sacred thread
around her torso
celebrating Vatapurnima;
Bending hugely,
indulging grand kids
swinging
on her,
a glare at
a daughter
trying to impose
her avoirdupois
on a hanging root...

She isn't gone,
and she doesn't need a Day;
She stands,
brave ,
in the wind,
with her young and old,
gathered
in her folds,
a virtual hand
reassuringly resting
and patting
the troubled shoulder,
of someone,
for whom,
everyday,
in Life
is Mother's Day....


Submitted for the BlogAdda Mothers Day Contest 2010 : Selected as one of the 5 winners.(May 14)