The Untold STORY of a TREE

I don’t know about my origin.
I mean, who kept me under soil?
I remember only—
I was thrown by someone,
sprouted by nature.
I was an orphan
when the cotyledon came out.
 It gave me strength to survive.
 I started to grow—grow and grow.

My stem became a trunk,
my leaves multiplied through many branches.
My roots went deep and down.
Finally, I became a full-grown tree.
I became fruitful, shelter- and shadow-giver.
Everyone called me a provider.
People also said I’m a home.

I haven’t expected a single hurt.
I thought everyone’s like me.
I am of nature—
so I couldn’t sense artificial.


A whole village lived under me.
Slowly I knew that nature has changed.
Can nature be cruel?
I questioned my existence.
Greenery around me darkened.
My dependents complained.
I was helpless.

Finally, they put the axe on me.
I remained silent—
until an elephant-like machine arrived.
I don’t know...
They didn’t remove.
An old man said, “This is old—like me.”
_____________________________________

But where are those who were around me?
He sacrificed me—for me, why?
I stood still with bitter memories.
Someone wrote: “Deforestation.”

My villagers hugged around me.
More sacrifices...???

Chipko? Appiko?
I was in a silent valley.
I saw women, tribals, and villagers.
I am old enough with my stories.
I have only saplings.
Please take and go,
and multiply it—
for you, human.
© Eternal Bloom