Palmyra a natural gift

The Palmyra tree, a palm of desert

Is a no man’s tree on everyone’s land

In the fields and meadows of Tamilnadu.

Like coconut, it’s a karpakatharu (a wish tree)

Prior to paper, its leaves were paper.

Prior to tiles, its leaves were the roof.

Toddy, jiggery,  liquid- kernel and fruit,

Shoots of its seeds and timber were its wealth.

Plaited boxes can replace the plastic.

Thatched with its leaves the hut is dead cool.

It is the shelter to eagles and bats

A queen of the arid, she must return..

Tiny fields were bordered with Palmyra.

The vast stretch was studded with Palmyra.

They would screen the Sun and firm the field’s bunds.

They would take less space and suck less water.

The sun won’t wilt it; the storm won’t kick it.

The flood won’t sink it. No pest can strike it.

Palmyra groves must replace thorny woods.

Palmyra must fill in the felled forest.

Hybrid variety is the  need of the hour.

The languishing crop must be resurrected.

Jiggery must return to replace the sugar.

Toddy must return to evict liquor.

05.02.2019