Tribute to Neem Tree

If you don’t know,

that's neem tree,

a twig with fruit.

It's a tree,

revered in Ayurveda.

Its bitter in taste,

so antimicrobial,

and dis-infectant.

We have a couple of them

in the northwest corner,

of our backyard,

with a hope,

that air that came through

it's canopy

will be free of germs.

Yes, that’s how,

people once lived—

with no reckless dependency,

on vicious chemicals.

When I jumped in puddles,

during the rain,

and wounded my legs,

my loving mother,

boiled neem leaves

and cleaned my ulcers.

During mosquito infestations,

after the monsoons,

a bunch of neem leaves,

smoked on hot embers

created fumes

that drove the bugs away—

no need for pesticides.

In the spring season,

we’d gather its flowers,

and cook them,

with tamarind or tomato,

a seasoal dish,

I nostalgically cherish.

Birds loved the seeds,

and the koels sang

from its canopy.

It’s a personal tribute

to the neem tree,

for which my childhood

was serene, and good.