The Flamboyant Tree

The Flamboyant Tree

I saw you embellished with peacock flower as you stand so still.
But seldom do you now see me trill, past the hill.

Few were the times you made captive of a passerby.

Only when left amongst all in the orchard, you remained the last to bloom.

Those very few I endeared, thoughtfully gave them a pet name.

Named my daughter Tini, hoping she would always be the same.

One by one I plucked the pinnules in my teens at times of indecisiveness.

And the last one left, often guided me; so did I name you the Decision tree.

I saw you as you withstand the thunder and the storm,

That bared you of, all the glory and your flamboyant form.

While in my woes you have sheltered me in your shade.

Caressed me with your low-hanging leaflets as I find my woes slowly fade.

On a certain day, a puff to my pipe puts the smoke up in the air.

My weary eyes look up to see the blue sky and the sun glare.

I saw you conceal the sky from me with the spread of your branches.

Rightly do they call you, the Flame tree, so much alike a covetous damsel.

As I stroll at dawn; that was sometime in the month of June.

A mild breeze turns to a strong wind and the dry leaves lay strewn.

I saw you so blatantly rustle, wishing you would end this bustle.

And spare us of this flamboyance of yours, at the time when it is dawn!

I liken this utter flamboyance of yours to this ego of mine.

When it rains, while the rest whither; I see the bloom only in thine.

But I fear to say, my friend, one day you would be bared of it all.

All that would be left, a root much secured, that for so long made many smile.

Not many have left a mark long after they are gone.

But always I see you wither leaving behind rachis in plenty for all.

We swished it at our playmates as we replay acts of a legendary warrior,

So did our parents lash it on us mercilessly, as the effect of cane on our tender body seems to fade.