Clods of Earth

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Concrete creates structures of convenience
Tearing down the old landmarks
Oblivion sets in all of a sudden
And we grope for our old tracks.

The old banyan on the route
That told us to take a turn and go homeward
Where is now its endearing presence?
And where are its shining branches?

For decades it just did one thing:
It assured everyone that the world is fine
Now the world has itself changed, all of a sudden
And it is all for concrete convenience.

Humans like me will often lose their way
In chase of the painted milestones
There won’t be a minute’s halt henceforth
Under the soothing shade of the ancient tree.
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*PS- The poem is dedicated to the souls of inumerable trees felled to widen National Highways in India. May their souls rest in peace.

By
A. N. Nanda
Bhubaneswar
08/10/2006
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