Caterpillars And The Tree Poem by Saroj Padhi

The caterpillars of your desire
swarm around, from top to the end
where the hungry root pierces the ground:
their wild hands wallowing in dark
in stillness of the night without much sound
on my gnarled trunk's dried-up bark
in search of some cozy place to nest
and build the cocoon of choice to hibernate;
their spiny bristles tickle me a little,
their whip-like organs they too wiggle
as they suck a green toxin from under the skin
and scare predators in their high-pitched whistle;
red ants of your lust fight many a bloody battle

at the line of control, to save your dream
and spread the good news
of your taking to wings of many new hues;
hence in the silence of this wintry night
under ceaseless fall of dew
I'm waiting for stir of that freedom in my leaves
that will bring Spring to me and Spring to you.