A Tree Poem by Suchitra Bandi

I saw a lonely tree,
on the shores of the sea,
standing all alone,
and I heard a little moan.

I went near to it,
in its shade I choose to sit,
But then I heard the groan,
like a person going to drown.

I then realised its source,
I knew the voice so coarse,
It came right from the tree,
It was begging me.

It told me about the fate,
of its brothers, all late,
who died because of men,
cutting them now and then.

It was lonely because,
men mowed rest without cause,
It now stood there silent,
like a relic, a monument.

Soon it will happen, it said,
To the rest trees and tears it shed,
I felt its grief as I touched it,
But I consoled it a bit.

I said I promise to you,
growing trees, I ll teach them to do,
From now everyone will protect you,
We are already in a long due.