The Secret | Neelam Dadhwal

That banyan tree on the side of a road, no,
not even one one by the temple is the one
where I cannot reach as I walk on the road.
Its branches take the whole space beneath
and only some diyas during evening
at beginning of its altar, seems illuminating.
So thick and so ancient and fireflies have
it at night, still all by themselves, in silence
the one talking when you ask me questions.
I remember of many trees, shrubs, herbs and
plants all in seclusion and with some magic
in their folds of much use, I may not reveal.
During debates of human nature sermoning
humanity, I often know for certain not everything
can be and not to everyone can reach.
My fears are thereby resolved in ancient secret
as it let me pass by knowing the truth like
those fireflies in its branches, not by temple.

Indian Review | Indian Literature | Author | Neelam Dadhwal is a poet from Chandigarh, India. She started writing poetry in 2011 and has penned two poetry books, “Straight from life” and “Our times” so far. Her poems appear in various online journals and anthologies.