Conversations with a Tree!
Today during morning walk,
I paused near a wise old tree;
It greeted me, as always, gently;
Unassumingly with an inviting look!
I have heard it whisper,
as I pass by it, everyday:
“I produce oxygen;
What do you?”
Today, there was urgency in its voice,
As if it had lots of questions for me;
That needed to be addressed;
As a matter of life and death!
Still kind in its manner,
Gentle in its demeanor;
Solemn in its voice,
The tree continued….
Rain or sunshine,
Extreme cold or hot;
I bear my lot, patiently;
Without complaining or comparing!
Do you?
By way of my own care and concern,
I need very little on a daily basis.
Always making sure to contribute,
More than I consume.
Do you?
I offer my gifts of shade and shelter,
Anonymously and generously;
And my fruits and flowers,
To all and sundry, selflessly!
Do you?
I am content in being the way I am,
Without needing to compare or compete;
To outshine or be better than the next tree;
In the mindless race called success!
How about you?
I abide placidly in the present;
Without brooding over the past,
Or pining for the future;
Living fully in the Now, authentically!
Do you?
On a yearly basis at least,
I renew myself:
Letting go of the old leaves;
To make room for the new ones!
Do you?
I do not hate my fellow trees,
Nor do I destroy my own kind.
Merely because they are different,
Or hold a different viewpoint!
How about you?
My virtues are: Patience, Generosity,
Acceptance, Forbearance, Caring,
Compassion, Contribution, Usefulness,
Selflessness, Sustainability, Self-renewal!
What are yours?
With my drab, rough exterior,
I stay nimble and pliant inside.
Always ready to adapt and to cater:
Whatever circumstances transpire!
Do you?
I genuinely hold my head high,
Upright in my humility and gratitude;
Always glorifying my Creator,
By serving selflessly Its Creation!
Do you?
In life and in death,
I stay valuable, making sure that
Every part of me is somehow useful,
For the sake of others!
How about you?
My leaves, my stem,
My roots, my bark;
All parts of the Divine Exchange,
You humans call Eco-System.
How about yours?
Even when I die,
I am of service to you;
As firewood to keep your house warm,
And to cook your supreme meal!
Do you?
Above all, I have the
Virtue of Eternal Silence,
And never get bored
with my own existence!
How about you?
As I listened to this wise old tree,
I kept wondering:
What have I done to the Garden
Entrusted to my care?!
~satinder dhiman, Jan 1, 2013
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