memories of a star fruit tree
whistle of the wind
flowers fallen to wither
but first there's a dance
yellow stars grow bigger
in branches bent down
little feet climb
for fruit, there's falling
with them too, and tears
hugs follow
rattan basket on
a bamboo pole
thick leaves are probed
a twist and a tug
stars come to the hands
toys are stuck in branches too
paper planes, shuttlecocks
a bamboo ladder leans on the trunk
father's arm stretched
here and there
to tidy up the tree
tie knots in the branches
to set up the tent
for where the wedding will be
likewise for a wake
for the patriarch's parting
the last ripe fruit down
now there are no hands
to tend, next season rots
that sweetness gone
with thirty years of stories
now seven seconds flash
through my mind and the tree
all hear the chainsaw's grind
whistle of the wind
flowers fallen to wither
but first there's a dance
yellow stars grow bigger
in branches bent down
little feet climb
for fruit, there's falling
with them too, and tears
hugs follow
rattan basket on
a bamboo pole
thick leaves are probed
a twist and a tug
stars come to the hands
toys are stuck in branches too
paper planes, shuttlecocks
a bamboo ladder leans on the trunk
father's arm stretched
here and there
to tidy up the tree
tie knots in the branches
to set up the tent
for where the wedding will be
likewise for a wake
for the patriarch's parting
the last ripe fruit down
now there are no hands
to tend, next season rots
that sweetness gone
with thirty years of stories
now seven seconds flash
through my mind and the tree
all hear the chainsaw's grind
The tree with many memories. A fine poem.
ReplyDeleteSuch asad ending.
ReplyDelete... a sad...
ReplyDeleteI like star fruit - first came across it in Japan. I like the ways you bring many images & stories together. the wedding & wake is poignant
ReplyDeleteVery nice balance, and a tremendous title!
ReplyDelete