A Tree’s Orbituary

Wrote it for some school kids' contest as an exhibit. I know, it sucks.


I was born way back in the 1960’s, when the air around was easier to breathe,

In koramangala many a brother and sister of mine, who by me were green,, content and free.

The ground below me clung around, and the sky was blue as you could see,

But now the only blue sky you have is on your computer or our color TV.



All my life I gave, and asked for such little in return,

And around me my brothers die, as you progress, slash and burn.

But I stand strong, I do not intrude, even through lifes unsightly turns,

Till on fine day the road I shaded,



My fate now rests on the contractor’s blade, and the Bangalore development authority,

I now seem to block ebb of traffic, for the increase in traffic they couldn’t forsee,

So uprooted I am from this barren soil, not even so much as allowed a plea.

This is the time I leave, my brothers, this is the last goodbye from me.



But as I leave and go to the tree grave in the world beyond,

My leaves will wither my branches broken, an I be leaving this earthly bond,

I’ll probably be made into matchsticks or plywood, or A4 Executive Bond,

But I’ll laugh at my brothers closed and confined,

for the only place you’ll ever see, a green and brown and shady tree,

But while you slash and burn, please bear in mind,

That someday that’s the place where you too will be,

Someday, the world will end without a tree.