Monument Poem by Parameswaran Nair Damodaran Nair

MONUMENT


When the blue far sky turned saffron and glowed in the dying twilight
Like a picture that brightens at its height in an ending candle light.
When the fluttering sound of the retreating birds heard across the sky
The deserted, shrivelled tree began leafing out again for hosting them dearly

The grand old tree loved the birds and was happy to welcome them as guests
He guarded them from wild wind and pouring rain with leaves and twigs
He spent his joyous days playing with their newly hatched cute little chicks
The tree, one day, stood helpless, sad and tearful waving at the parting birds

Seasons passed, the birds flew back searching the big tree to rest on and sing
Alas! They found in its place a dead, dried up tree with fallen leaves and twigs
With a broken heart in a cracked trunk the snag stood aloof like a monument
Without life or tears in it to wave off the birds flocking away in disappointment!