Autobiography of A Tree. Poem by Nabakishore Dash

I took my birth
from a tiny seed.
Either sown by man
or dispersed by
animals, birds and wind.

Soil, water, temperature
along with the air.
Helped to sprout me
in lap of nature.

Only my root is geotropic,
moves deep into the soil.
Rest of my body parts
are phototropic,
move towards the sun,
over leaping many hurdles.

Solar rays give me
warmth and light.
I use my roots to
absorb water, minerals
and leaves to receive
carbon-di- oxide.

My leaves are kitchens
not only for me.
They provide food and fodder
to other communities.

Toxic gas released
from animals of whole
creation would have caused
much health hazards, pollution.
I absorb it from air,
enrich atmosphere with oxygen.

I am an autotroph,
occupying the first
trophic level in food chain
with ability to transform
toxic carbon-di-oxide
to carbohydrate food.
At least humans must perceive
my role in biological purification,
control and soil erosion,
my attitude and aptitude.

My leaves are emeralds,
fruits, flowers vitamins and golds.
Roots are precious filters,
trunks are black diamonds.

When laden with fruits,
people climb up my body.
Pelt me with stones and sticks,
I tolerate their arrogance,
without any reaction and
Vengeance.
I never eat my fruits,
donate them to other's
existence.

I protect passer-byes, animals
from scorching, sweltering
heat of the sun.
They come under my branches
during a shower of rain.

I am a sweet home
for animals and birds.
They build their nests by
bending and gluing
my leaves to rest in herds.

Can the computers evaluate me
in terms of
oxygen, flowers, fruits, foods
wood, shelter and shade?
If at all they try,
they would be dismayed.

Even after death,
I barge into the
houses of men.
They use me in
many different ways
for fuels, business, beautification.

I whisper, in ears of men,
by rustling leaves of mine.
Constantly remind them,
through my feeble speaks,
that I am their gold mine.

Still they cut and cut me down,
cyclones and hurricanes
attack me every now and then.
My twigs and branches
regenerate again and again.
To enliven men, animals
for their existence and gain.

If these brutalities and
ruthlessness exceed
the limits of my tolerance,
a day would arrive
for my disappearance.
Only then, men would
realise my valuable presence.