Tree of Life
Red, reddened chambakkas from honeyed flowers
Red dropped rose apples string from tree to ground
Branches loaded with the heaviness of juicy fruits
Stand suspended in a dance of euphoric glee.
Red dropped rose apples string from tree to ground
Branches loaded with the heaviness of juicy fruits
Stand suspended in a dance of euphoric glee.
Hands touch the shimmering polish of ripeness chamba
Sever each from each, from branch and tree
Sifting not the well formed from cankered ones
Gathering all to fill baskets to relish or ditch.
Sever each from each, from branch and tree
Sifting not the well formed from cankered ones
Gathering all to fill baskets to relish or ditch.
Hands tear down these red drops more than rain
Raindrops leave behind the tears of the tree
Tilling ground for sprouts to spring in the sun
Making sure of a return though ruthlessly mangled.
Raindrops leave behind the tears of the tree
Tilling ground for sprouts to spring in the sun
Making sure of a return though ruthlessly mangled.
The red blossoming faces of children at play
Each alike in their shout of joy, yet so different
So differently moulded to weather the storms of life
Some challenged in a society that takes little care.
Each alike in their shout of joy, yet so different
So differently moulded to weather the storms of life
Some challenged in a society that takes little care.
Hobbling on in fear of jeers and smites
Lost happiness in life’s pursuits and narrow paths
Knowing little that it makes all the difference
Take refuge high above in whirls of dreams.
Lost happiness in life’s pursuits and narrow paths
Knowing little that it makes all the difference
Take refuge high above in whirls of dreams.
The red drops of life on the ground
Trampled and sucked in by slushy soil, wait
Wait for another life to be born in fullness
One to be lovingly prized and caressed.
Trampled and sucked in by slushy soil, wait
Wait for another life to be born in fullness
One to be lovingly prized and caressed.
—Jameela Begum