A Beginning Again

By Aarna Sandilya

Just like a seed,

Tuck me beneath the earth,

With a drop of rain and a beam of sun,

As mercy to my tender course of growth.

Let my roots curl deep, holding steady,

Let my stem arise against the sky with gentle strength.

Let the leaves open—not hurried, but assured.

Then

Let the droughts come,

Let thunder split the heavens,

Let storms rage wild upon my crown.

No trembling fear shall shake me,

No weakling shame—

For firm I stand,

Though tempests round me rave.

And in time, I shall be a tree,

Fruit sweet with patience,

Branches woven with story,

A shelter for weary hearts,

And shade for wandering souls.

Just like a seed,

Sow me beneath the ground,

As a beginning—

For I long to grow again,

This time, the right way.

By Aarna Sandilya