Under The Live Oak Tree Poem by Uma Pochampalli Goparaju

Ten times ten feet tall
in the front yard around the hall
was the huge live oak tree that I used to go under
every morning and evening as I went to school or took my kids for walk
huge and gigantic was the green tree with leaves in hunter; s green color
they used to change into rusty golden brown color as the fall advanced
If it was day I could see birds and chip munks living on it
Sometimes I had to go out to check the mail at night
and had to walk under the live oak tree
standing strong and tall
and mysteriously
waving its branches
side to side as the wind
would flow and the darkness grew
I would chant repeatedly, Ram Ram
and walk as briskly as possible, funny
there was nothing to fear yet, I would chant
probably to feel better and not terrified a lot
sometimes the weather would be gloomy
as if a storm was brewing near by
and lightning would bolt in the sky
on days such as those
I walk carefully
gently
so
as
not
to
disturb
the
sleeping
spirits
in
the
live
oak tree
walking on my tip toes