The neem tree..
it swayed gently
green… so green
right outside my window.
Beautiful, majestic, grand. The home of squirrels..and the birds.
It buzzed with the symphony of life
while I stared at it dreamily
many a morning
and then
last evening..
I saw my beloved tree
naked..stripped off all her glorious leaves
and her branches
raped
mutilated
left for dead
and all her tenants
my lovely neighbours
gone.
But I have faith
in Nature
in my tears
in my brave tree.
She will come around
I think
I pray.
Uma Iyer is a writer, a mother and a freelance consultant for marketing communication to several organisations. She was raised in Mumbai and currently lives in Delhi. Her retirement plan includes two dogs, many books and a shack by the sea.