A song of hope

I wish I were a tree Wont you wish the same as me?

I wish I were a tree I would shade the kind, the poor and the needy As well as the evil, the cruel and the greedy Like a mother, making no distinctions Between all the children Or as the Lord treating with love Every finger of our hand

I wish I were a tree With virtues so many That could benefit the whole universe Many times over, across many births Bringing joy to all, with flowers so beautiful, so variegated With fruits so deliciously different to both that mischievous imp and the kindly aged hand With wood so valuable, bark so medicinal, stem, shoots, nay even the root of use to all

I wish I were a tree That suffers in silence every overture Be it good, bad or ugly By man, animal, bird or any other creature Patiently withstanding the rigours of the weather

The blazing sun or the lashing tempest Or a woodcutters merciless axe as it slashes right through my inner core

Dont you think it beautiful a thing to be a tree Or to have a wish as simple a hope so plain and deep as me?

Anuradha R.