The April sun stood blazing overhead
And heat waves came down in fiery might
With brusque pricks all over!
The umbrella blocked its direct rays
But nothing could fetter the piercing heat
She felt being baked in an oven
Rivulets of sweat trickled down
From the nape of her neck and her thighs
Clinging her clothes to her legs and feet
She walked dragging her feet awkwardly
Through the cobbled sidewalk of the steaming street
At a distance was seen a tall tree
Like a desert traveler, sighting an oasis
She walked briskly to its shade
Its straggling branches with tender leaves
Was like a big open umbrella!
With a sigh of relief she wondered
Under its wooden elbows
What comfort lay in wait!
Kind to everyone and everything
It didn’t deny its comfy shade to man or beast
Its branches, gnarled by long years
Gave shelter to the feathered folks
At its foot were a few cows
Away from the torrid heat, they lay
Chewing the cud and fanning flies with their tails
Those beasts disciplined in life’s stern school
Didn’t show any protest, but gently accommodated
The stray pedestrian without any fuss
Is not Nature a wonderful arbour
Where men and animals cohabit!