Not of this earth

Changing display, with winds every lurch
Static or sway, up high in sky perched
Dark as heavens or lighted with fire
reaching your heights envious, I do conspire

Spread out across the earth
With a blanket covered
Riotous colors wild
Every shade demanding berth
Lightening with streaks
At times with lofty spires
Intermingled with mountain peaks
Lakes in sky, at times drier

Inspiring me everyday
Can't rest my imagination at bay
Soaring high every time
Balming edges of heart's fray
Can't imagine for a moment
Life without your existence
Clouds of my meditation
Without you, life will be penance

Manjari

Jacaranda Tree in my backyard

There is a tree in my untamed backyard,

Jacaranda tree with canopy quite large,

Shading the garden most of the time,

Resting at its place like playing a mime

Come May it fills with lavender color flowers,

Shaped like trumpet, filled with nectar to devour, 

Squirrels call it home, day or night

Sheltering one and all, showing its Might 

I am sure there is a nest somewhere up there,

Though the boughy branches hide it with flair,

Some branches are thick and some merely stick,

Hummingbirds nearby, won't otherwise flit

Yeah, the roots make pretty good burrowing spots

It's not just anywhere, Squirrels bury walnuts

Filtering the sunlight for flowers and grapevines

Not just Poppies but also Columbine

Many a times I have thought it to be old,

I wonder, if it has its story All told;

Should I cut it to plant some fruit trees there,

Wait! my heart tells me, don't you dare!

Then I see these birds, squirrels and bees

living famously with this majestic entity,

the cool summer breeze, under which slowly wafts,

And occasional wetness of dew that drops 

So dawns upon me, that this tree, this life,

Bestowed upon me to better the plight, 

Let me care for this wonderment of divine nature,

May my Jacaranda tree forever retain its stature.

Manjari