The Chinese Bamboo Tree Poem by Rodolfo Martin Vitangcol

DECADES AGO, WHEN I WAS JUST A LAD,
I planted a mango tree in my yard.
Days after, how I wished with fruits it weighed,
Law of Nature dictates I had to wait.

HAVE THE PATIENCE OF THIS WONDERFUL TREE.
It's the tree called the ‘Chinese Bamboo Tree.'
To those longing for a fruitful life,
here's that tree's story to inspire you right.

PLANT THE SEED OF A CHINESE BAMBOO TREE,
water and fertilize it tirelessly.
Be stunned not of what you are going to see,
"for after a year of caring—no tree! "

BUT THEN, JUST CONTINUE WITH YOUR CARING,
keep your tenacity ever going.
Brace yourself, though, for what you're bound to see,
"after second and third year—still no tree! "

DO NOT LOSE HEART! YOUR PATIENCE BE MIGHTY!
As you've heard it said, "No pain, no glory."
Keep on watering and fertilizing,
"though at fourth year's end—still no tree sprouting! "

QUIT NOT! YOU MIGHT BE ONE INCH TO THE TOP!
Simply keep soil ever fresh and spruced up,
for behold by fifth year, in six weeks nigh,
"the tree rushes up to 90 feet high! "

WELL, THE MAIN TAKEAWAY FROM THE STORY,
if you want to grow Chinese bamboo tree,
you just don't plant its seed and then leave it,
and on fifth year, presto! There is it!

NO WAY! RATHER, FOR A TREE TO COME TRUE,
you need five long years of caring to do.
Sans the watering and fertilizing,
not a shadow is there in the offing!

SIMILARLY, IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED,
don't think that patience is all that you need,
that sooner or later without your intending,
there on your head the crown you are wearing.

RATHER, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SUCCEED,
continually invest in all you need—
right knowledge, right attitude, and right skill—
in time you'll reap the profits of your will.

Amen!

Copyright © 2018
Rodolfo Martin Vitangcol
All Rights Reserved