A Cherished Dream Poem by Namita Rani Panda

'O' My Granny, will you please explain me what a forest is?
The dictionary says, 'a large area of land covered with trees'
Does a forest really exist?
How do trees look, tell me please!
Are they like the bonsais in our terrace garden
With rickety limbs and tiny leaves? '

'Let me tell you dear the fact, not a story
Trees once were earth's crowning green glory
A faithful friend of men, natural oxygen factory
Replaced now with concrete buildings and industries
Squirrels' homes and nests holders
Kept ready ever a shady bower
Fanned in summer afternoon cool soothing air
Gifted amply with love fruits and flowers'

'How can such a faithful friend be betrayed and slain?
Must be a need to make the nation developed and modern! '

'Can machine produce grain and grapes?
Can mill produce milk and pulses?
Food in our time was never impure and dear
Free and pure were air and water
Not for need my dear but insatiable greed
That's the fire that can never be extinguished
Men went on overexploiting the resources without concern
Left no stone unturned to pollute air, land and ocean
Earth's green skin is stripped and replaced with tall concrete towers
All is just a game of money and power
For momentary comfort men endangered future'

'Really those days must be supremely serene!
Won't you take me to that golden time? '

'Your cherished dream will be surely fulfilled dear
If we compassionately repair and care
Mother Earth with our earnest fingers
Then the day is not so far
No one can stop us from reaching there.'