Banyan Tree Poem by EZHIL VENDHAN

Banyan Tree

Rating: 4.9


A Banyan tree I am,
a marvelous one at that.
This gigantic form
have I taken
out of a very tiny seed
like an atom's mighty power.

Grown on the bloody mire of sacrifice
and watered by human tears,
my branches leap boundaries
and extend as my vision goes on.

I am the refuge for birds
longing for shade
from my ever-green branches
and the exquisite taste of my fruit.

Varied indeed are the languages
of the varied species of birds
of many a hue,
but the thought that inspires the song
is the same for ever and ever.

I'm the tent,
where birds that toil and moil all day revel.
On my branches gets inaugurated
each season of festivity.

My Veda of eternal relevance is Truth,
I preach Love and Peace,
the time-tested ideals.

The branches of my ideals
do not allow
the birds of prey
even to sit on me;
not to speak of them
building nests on me.
Strictly, no permission for the birds
even if they pay a fee.

Having a never-drying milk-spring in me
I grow even on barren soil,
I am the gift of this soil.

Some birds that taste my fruit
drop their excrement
elsewhere.

Some try to find fault
with my lisp of fledglings;
clip their wings
just beginning to grow.

Some others
praise the charm of birds,
a little nature,
tell them temptingly thus:
'Let us sit on tall branches of other trees
and be gay and carefree.'

I am unable to excuse the woodpeckers;
do they not rejoice in disrobing me?

Creating holes in me,
the woodpeckers,
only invite vicious vipers to settle in me.

A poor, pitiable tree I am,
Giving away fruit only to songbirds.

My roots
labour without rest
going deep down into the soil
seeking water.

Bitter may be my seeds
but sweet are my fruits.

My body suffers
a thousand wounds
from head to foot.
Don't you notice my eyes watering
as the pungent smell of Sulphur
affects me?

Inexplicable are my trials and tribulations
in the cycle of time;
in the annals of history
I am a tree of achievements.

I have no chance of being flexible
like a plantain tree.
Storms wail to me
that they are unable to uproot me.

My roots are only aerial roots
which are not being closed
allow light to pass through them.

They will soon take root
and stand majestically!

A Banyan tree I am,
a marvelous tree.

Banyan Tree
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Topic(s) of this poem: nature
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
This is the Tamil version of my Poem 'AALAMARAM ' which was selected as the best poem from Tamil language for the Indian Republic Day Multi Lingual Poets Symposium 1995 held at New Delhi organised by the Republic of India. The poem has been translated into 18 languages and simultaneously broadcast by all the Radio stations of All India Radio on the eve of Indian Republic Day immediately after the Indian President's Address to the Nation.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Rajnish Manga 02 August 2017

A banyan tree is an embodiment of all good things in our social life. It reflects the cultural ethos of our unity in diversity. Thanks for sharing this celebrated masterpiece on PH.

3 0 Reply
Jazib Kamalvi 03 August 2017

A nice poetic imagination, Azhil. Thank you very much,

3 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 03 August 2017

Wonderful imaginary. Banyan tree is marvellous where as your poem is marvelous too. The banyan tree has sacrifices and has truth and love. It may be quoted... My Veda of eternal relevance is Truth, I preach Love and Peace, the time-tested ideals. Really banyan tree is the embodiment of charitable person that gives fruits, shadows and shelters in spite of several hurts. Many thanks for sharing this gem and congratulation for the award as it is selected in Tamil version of your Poem 'AALAMARAM ' as the best poem from Tamil language for the Indian Republic Day Multi Lingual Poets Symposium 1995 held at New Delhi organised by the Republic of India. I would like to say that it would be better to have a juxtapose of original. Dear Ezhil, I wish you a prosperous life in future. May God nourish your poetic thoughts.

3 0 Reply
Cheryl Tutaan 04 August 2017

Beautifully written, Ezhil...A widely imagination of things and life. As it stands marvelous and brave as true to life. Though ups and downs, through hardships and trials, a Banyan tree for me is a great inspiration to continue life and at the end you will succeed and to be strong. Thank you for sharing...Perfect 10, Cheryl

2 0 Reply
Ezhil Vendhan 05 August 2017

Thank you very much Cheryl. So Nice of your right conception of my verses. You can imagine this to anything of your choice having the Banyan Tree as a symbol. Like to hear more from you.

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Dr Dillip K Swain 11 June 2021

Grown on the mire of sacrifice/and watered by human tears/my branches leap boundaries/and extend as my vision goes on….absolutely brilliant. What a great poem! Top score! !

0 0 Reply
Bharati Nayak 10 June 2021

A great poem about Banyan tree.Let me quote-I'm the tent, where birds that toil and moil all day revel. On my branches gets inaugurated each season of festivity.

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M Asim Nehal 10 June 2021

A tree that holds a world in itself. Marvellous poem.

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This is a great poem about a wonderful tree that is Banian tree which gives enough to human beings and various specieis by its great service so Nice poem likes

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Varsha M 03 June 2021

This is a wonderful poem. Well encorporating every element thst makes banyan tree elegant and bright. Eirthu poem.

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