Green Queen

To the extreme left of the courtyard, is an old tamarind tree. Quite nondescript due to its age, position, commonality and its fruitlessness, it stands alone unbothered about rebuke or care, admiration or utility. The tree is an ascetic .It is a perpetual teacher, self controlled and composed. It teaches to look for Truth within.

A part of the tree and its roots have been corroded by white ants and ebonized by a fire. No foliage grows on that part. However, the other part bears leaves and the tree thrives on the nourishment derived from the bisected, conducive roots. Even in this precarious state, it has dutifully stood up to time against rain, hail, storm, and the vagaries of the sun, the winter and the pleasant weather. It has lived through the whimsical fall and rise of ideas, governments, policies, economies, norms and culture. Now, a host of red ants line up into the tree and dig into the sweet sour syrup running in its veins. An ive to tombs the tree in .It draws strength and support from this aged tree and has formed a sheet of screen as if to cover the bareness and nakedness of the branches from disgrace. A good many years old, this weather-beaten tree has lost its youth and its dark green luster of life. Due to its scanty foliage, no bird makes it its home Even as it is aware of its loosing years of fertility and procreation it has not lost its grace. Therein lays an awkward beauty in this tree. Unlike the young trees whose bodies are supple and smooth, the whole tree is covered with dry veins wiring out like a net of neurons. The sinews of the tree distinctly stand out like the corded veins of a laborer which tell the story of toil and age .It also tells the story of brevity and stoicism. The dark amber colored, youthful trees full of vivacity and youthful shallowness are no match to this somber, blackened tree. The branches do not jut out shamelessly. Rather, the ivory black arms of the tree gracefully point to the sky, ahead like a curvaceous danseuse positioned with her arms raised upwards. The dark beauty is actualized. The aging tree speaks that Beauty is more than allure. It lies in the spirit of living and surviving in adversity with dignity and grace and not calling in until the last bugle is blown.