The Walnut Tree Poem by Amar Agarwala

As I passed my wicket fence
The ageing walnut tree,
Showered me with withered leaves
And said something to me;

That it stood since ages past
But I had never seen,
Crimson light upon its leaves
Thus how twilight had been;

I glimpsed not the sparrow's nest
That lay upon its bough,
Few spotted eggs closeted
Though which the night winds plough;

Neither I the twitter sweet
That morning brought with it,
Nor did I the moon savour
And how the stars were lit;

Felt no spring nor summer heat
Hues autumn ever passed,
Soft snow upon its branches
Know how sweet nuts amassed;

Had I known the squirrel small
That in its hollow stayed,
A smile would cross my dried lips
Under its dappled shade;

It said I need pause beneath
It gnarled and shrunken stem,
Inhale a puff of fresh air
And lightly say ahem;

I could not make much of this
Until it whispered soft,
It knew the angel of death
Who paid a visit oft;

The angel had confided
Of men whose days were few,
My name too she uttered
Something I never knew;

The wisely tree then advised -
That I take heed of days,
See the world with different eyes
And change my baffled ways;

Knowing soon my time would lapse
I now bask in the sun,
Glimpse the trees and hark the sounds
That I had never done;

Strange I find some precious time
To kiss the balmy air,
Immerse myself with loved ones
Indulge in that I care;

Late I am for having missed
The best life had to give,
Sadly spent my living days
Not knowing how to live.
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