Tree By Smritirekha Bhuyan (Translated From Assamese) Poem by Syed Ahmed Shah

Tree by Smritirekha Bhuyan (Translated from Assamese)

I had tried to become a tree.
When I was young my parents had told me
It is absolutely necessary to become a tree,
They still hope that I should be
As patient, as innocent, and as submissive as a tree.
Trees change their raiment in Winters and Summers;
They turn Yellow from Green
As per the the season's taste.
But unlike humans their souls do not change;
Even in their old age the leaves are humble, polite, and energetic.
Matching beats with the breeze
They sway and paint the world red.
(Although) there is no lack of effort on my part
It is very difficult to become a tree
Perhaps I can never be…

(Translated with permission)