In Memory Of My Mango Tree Poem by Namita Rani Panda

My Mango tree, how lovely and lively you used to be in spring
With your leaves: red, purple, pink,
Dappled green, glossy and glowing,
Branches laden with pyramidal panicles
With hundreds of fragrant creamy pink aromatic blossoms
That grew into green glossy fruits,
That allured me, in my childhood, to climb and sit on the fork of your branch
Without caring the scoldings of my mom
To relish the sour flavouring crunchy raw mangoes!

How exciting it was to watch the changing colours of your fruits
From green skin to pale yellow and deep orange
And run out to pick up the one fallen on the ground with the slightest breeze
To savour with utmost satisfaction and ease!

In auspicious occasions with deep devotion
How I used to prepare garlands of your green glossy leaves:
The most essential objects for decoration!

In many summer noons, your shady bower was an ever ready boon
Where I used to take shelter for hours during power cut
And during nights watched the moon peeping through the dancing leaves laying on the cot.
In every season you were there
To shower your love with fresh cool air,
Juicy fruits and fragrant flowers.

My mango tree, without you my garden is so deserted and forlorn!
With you the squirrel's room is gone,
No cuckoo sings mellifluous song to rouse me in the morn
The birds don't twitter, as if in deep mourning.
Without you, life is a scorching summer
A childhood bosom pal lost forever!

Fani not only uprooted trees and towers
Not only swept away many roofs and destroyed big buildings,
It reduced to memory many sweet bonds
That can never be restored again!