Aloha to Our Mango Tree
If you follow TAKA, you know that we have been compelled to remove a 54-year-old mango tree that had begun to break the walls and foundation of the Media Studio. Today the Tongan team went high in the wir on their cherry picker, and methodically cut and lowered limb after limb. It will take another 2-3 days to complete. We followed the Agamas and planted three trees of the same species before making the cuts.
An Indian poetess who knows the tree and shares our reluctance to remove it, offers this affectionate poem today:
You stood silent
watching the years go by
you shared your shade
without the slightest sigh
your fruits were sweet
we sat at your feet
as Gurudeva signed our books
Have you go on to join him
in the subtle, inner realms?
so he may sign our souls
as he once signed our tomes
and you continue to bear witness ...
May we meet again someday
"again for the first time"
as he would laugh and say!
The sapling babies will carry your leagcy
as his beloved monks now do
you will live on, just as he does
in all whose lives he touched
and continues to grace
we will miss you and yet, we won't
knowing you are in a better place
across the veil, just another vale
that we too, will cross someday!
Quiet service, despite your size,
is what you have taught us
Fly as high as deep your roots grew
free of boulders and buildings
Spread across boundaries
that lines on paper impose
Take with you our love, our thanks
for being all that you chose!
Dear Great Mango Tree
this little note comes to you
with all the love a heart can hold!
Pass this message to your brethren
who had none to hold
when their time came
tell them all, we are sorry
and that, we love them too!
For this last act on our behalf
we thank you yet again!
Infinite love and eternal gratitude
Aum Namah Sivaya!
9 Responses to “Aloha to Our Mango Tree”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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February 28th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Ramsamy Pillay liked this on Facebook.
February 28th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Kauai’s Garden Island Arts Council liked this on Facebook.
February 28th, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Richie Suraci liked this on Facebook.
February 28th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
What a lovely poem! I, too, will miss that tree…..that tree that fed me, listened to me, counseled me and received my tears and laughter.
Thank you.
February 28th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Marius Atul Mesaros liked this on Facebook.
February 28th, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Very useful project! Aum Shanthi!
March 1st, 2013 at 2:07 am
Beautiful & meaning poem!
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:40 pm
Jayshree S Rao liked this on Facebook.
March 4th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Thank you for your loving homage, especially to all mango trees which went before and were not so acknowledged for their giving and grace. Aum aum.