The Kadamba Tree Poem by Ravikumar C.P.

Hindi Poem: Subhadra Kumari Chowhan
Translated by C.P. Ravikumar

If only this Kadamba tree was in the banks of river Yamuna,
I too, Mother, would be some day, the young Gopala Krishna!

Buy me a flute, will you mother, it will only cost you a dime!
When I play it, a Kadamba stem will bow and to the ground recline.

I will not tell you where I went, and go silently to the tree,
sit on the stem which bent down for me, and climb up merrily.

Sitting on the top of the tree I will, Oh play the little flute!
Amma! Amma! I will call out in a merry musical note.

Oh you will be so happy, Amma, when you listen to my call.
You will drop all your chores and rush to find your little doll.

See you coming, I will stop playing, and give you a proper scare
by hiding behind the Kadamba leaves and playing a note from there!

You will not find me anyhow and you will be so Oh so mad at me!
But when I won't budge, your softened voice will call me lovingly,

'Come down, my little charming prince, and you can have a piece of pie
with butter, milk and raisins, and a toy I shall buy for thee! '

I will simply laugh and climb some more, up the tree so high
and your heart'll miss a beat and you'll let out a fearful cry!

You'll fold your hands and close your eyes and you'll begin to pray,
you'll pray to the Gods and in between sobs, ask them to show you the way!

Seeing you pray with your eyes closed, I'll come down silently.
I'll tip toe behind your back and, Mother, hug you in a fit of glee.

Startled, you'll open your eyes, and there you'll find me laughing.
You'll join me in my laughter, Mother, and embrace your little king.

Mother, we could have so much fun playing like this all day!
If only this Kadamba tree was washed by Yamuna's gentle spray!