NATURE | CREATIVITY | INSPIRATION
Under the Canopy of Benevolence
Unmeasurable benefits of trees
“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” Kahlil Gibran
If we had to choose one bounty of nature vital for sustenance, most of us would pick the trees. Why, might one wonder? One tree can provide a day’s oxygen supply to a family of four. Trees provide food and protect the land from erosion, fires, and flooding. They’re vital for our survival, and we should do our best to save, grow, and protect them. Whatever is possible for anyone.
“There are more life forms in a handful of forest soil than there are people on the planet.” Peter Wohlleben
The importance of trees in our lives can be simplified if we take into consideration how many of them have been our companions, points of reference, or impressed us. Those who kept our secrets when we confided in all the nonsensical things and planned strategies to conquer our fears, enemies, or ghosts. In my maternal grandparent's home, there was an Averrhoa carambola (starfruit) tree with its drooping branches producing a broad rounded crown in the courtyard where I used to sit for hours.
It was a perfect spot for playing, sulking, or napping with my cousins during the summer months. We could stay there as long as my mom remained busy socializing, and then she dragged me to the basement, where we had to sleep for the entire afternoon. I used to sneak outside as soon as my mom fell asleep, one of the daring acts I rarely succeeded.
This tree is now eighty-four years of age, and my mom planted it when she was four years old. It still bores fruit and comes to full bloom with vibrant lime green color in September-October and January-February. India is one of the largest producers of this fruit that taste sour and is best eaten sliced with a sprinkled mixture of salt and chili powder.
I have the fondest memories of the mango and banyan tree in my paternal home. I wrote a poem about it last year.* The famous banyan tree in our village is at least 150 years old, if not more, as I had asked my uncle, who told me his grandfather also played under the tree.
All the happy memories of my time spent are related to these trees where all the neighborhood kids played hide and seek, climbed up branches, and stole the raw mangoes. For me, this natural playground beside a small pond was the best place on earth and still is.
Living in Canada and US gave me more opportunities to live near the natural ravines and rich biodiversity areas. I have already shared about Toronto’s picturesque ravine here. **Today, I’m missing the gorgeous view of Northern Red Oak trees from my back veranda in Lake Forest, Illinois.
These trees are known for their fast growth and an open canopy that enables them to grow tall. The area was a rich, moist wooded ravine containing one of the region’s rarest ecosystems and prided itself on having over 50 species of rare plants.
One of the serene places where I had the privilege of staying, teaching, planting, and contributing to nature in a small way, and those years will always be special for me.
© Fatima Imam (All Rights Reserved)
This post is written in response to Dr. Preeti Singh’s nature-inspired prompt for Reciprocal ❤️❤️:
Links to my other pieces mentioned in the post:
*Poem on the Banyan tree
** Post on Don Valley ravine:
Sincere thanks to the editors of Reciprocal: Sahil Patel, Dr. Preeti Singh, and Yana Bostongirl for their consistent support and encouragement. ❤️❤️
Today, I want to applaud the three pieces written on the same prompt:
William J Spirdione’s prose is as good as his sonnets and especially, and this post is outstanding in capturing the beauty of nature:
Joyce Nielsen’s posts are always a treat to read but in this one, she has written a sonnet as an ode to her special tree:
Elvie Lins’s post made my gloomy day so colorful and vibrant:
Forever grateful to everyone for your precious time and generous support. Stay blessed, motivated, and live your life to the fullest. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
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