The five of them grew
strong. Straight they shoot up.
one a little tall, the others
not far behind.
After years of upward spurt
they inclined towards light
the deviation was not marked
not an hindrance to the well being.
Taken good care by the family
they turn fruitful
yielding in scores,
rewarding as they could..
As years roll by
the penultimate
started to bend
a big hunch visible.
The others follow
but with less distinction.
The ones except the fifth
cross all boundaries.
They prod and peek
through the windows,
rest on the balcony, pose
a danger to the house.
They totter vigorously
on a stormy day, fearing
a crash, I uproot them,
down they come in a thud
Unable to control my grief
I walk towards the interior
The workers pile them in
a truck and off they go.
If only my neighbour
had chopped the huge branch
five of them would have been saved.
and would have lived with me.
Meenas Poems 