Potted Banyan* Poem by indira babbellapati

Somebody had pinched it

Of its swiftness and vigor



Its might, its hands

Its roots, its girth

Its fearlessness that could

Challenge the sky



Somebody somebody



Mercilessly, gradually

Beautifully had stolen away all



Its mettle, stay-put spirit

Against hammering winds

Had been manipulated

It’s now bent in absolute obedience

Even at the command of mere finger-tips



They cashed on its innocence

And made it believe

This life, here, is

Beautiful and attractive



Full of green in youthful vitality

Extended to a hundred yojanas

With umpteen uses

Once upon a time

It had spread its kingdom of life



Alas

Now potted

In two fists-full earth

Now reduced

To arid eyes looking for water



Somebody had pinched it

Of its swiftness and vigor



*Telugu original by Vinnakota Ravi Shankar