From my window I gaze daily at the falling leaves of many mighty trees and columns of green shapes and designs. Yet, at a closer look, nothing seems to be dying but just regeneration: one leaf drifts and tumbles and a new one is born, always offering a secure home for numerous birds, insects and all kinds of nature’s hidden gems.
Here in this section of “Balay Euphrasie” Davao, the Garden City of Mindanao, Philippines, I am fascinated each year that I come, as to how the same trees remain. Over the years, I have given each one a name – as I can never remember their official title.
So, “hair do” (Banyan Tree) remains in its glory with it red-dyed tips:
“Sky fan” (Coconut Tree) stands taller each year yet seems slimmer than ever before and behind it, is a face formed within the forest – can you see it? The “care-taker” of new growth.
Each year my big fan, “show off” (Pomelo Tree) with more and more fruit, is really settled into its environment despite a recent earthquake and severe heavy rains!
This sunken forest within our reach of Balay Euphrasie, even though not attainable, is a real lesson to us all that climate change, though creeping upon us all, is for these trees minimal. I couldn’t help but put pen to paper and create a poem:
Self Regeneration to celebrate that a tumbling leaf can regenerate new beginnings in the awaiting carpet of green below.
Welcome Sr. Rose Mary, it’s great to have you as a new regular writer to the blog!