The tamarind tree

"Look up there, lad,

See that shaped as a horse’s head

On the edge of that branch

That extends towards south;

That’s Aswini.

Again, that conical cap;

The constellation is Bharani".

"Down below that lowering branch

a lone star is rising,

ruddy as a drop of blood,

that’s Swati".

The giant tamarind tree;

The wide spread of branches.

Varying brightness of stars,

Varied designs of constellations

Of bow, ploughs, bears

Crabs, triangles and quadrangles

Peeping through the leafy boughs

On cloudless nights

standing beside the giant tamarind tree

my grandmother would show

the position of each constellation.

To trek the astral chart

with the ease of a stroll

through familiar countrysides:

Exciting.

Grandmother and tamarind tree;

Both were gone.

I stand perplexed, scared

Like a boy strayed into

The busy metropolis

At an unfamiliar crossroad ...