Helpless, A Bare Chinar Stands Poem by Mohammad Younus

Helpless, a bare Chinar stands,
its silhouette cloaked in poisonous smoke,
along the bustling transport yard,
where unchecked vehicles exhale
enormous clouds of petrol and diesel.

Once glorious, the Chinar trees lined these roads,
their splendor praised through the ages,
until pollution crept like a silent assassin,
withering their once-lush limbs in disgrace.

I see a shameful reflection in the eyes of these trees,
if only humanity had upheld its values,
to safeguard the beauty of Chinars and their kin.
Then the world would not curse and shame
the demise of these mighty icons,
the cherished identity of the Vale of Kashmir.

Carving away their flesh may seem an art to some,
but where lies wisdom in the heart of blindness?
Preserving our trees, I deem the true art,
for a thriving tree, living freely,
is a masterpiece of nature's design.

MyKoul