The Hangman’s Tree

The Hangman’s Tree

By, Kaushik Paul


Up on the hill I stand,
Under the bare blue sky.
Calm I stay, as seasons change
And ages roll by.

I’ve seen the Sun rise in the east,
Scorn brightly at noon.
I’ve seen it sink in the west
Followed by the dance of the moon.

I’ve heard men curse,
Put upon me all their blame.
And heard the village children shiver,
When their mothers called out my name.

I’ve always provided shelter
To the weary vultures.
Only to bear sharp bolts
From both, man and The Maker.

I’ve seen the tyranny, the conspiracy
And the sceptre, that six-feet under lies.
I’ve seen the invasion, the flames
And I’ve seen dynasties die.

Yet, all these things
Weren’t painful enough;
As it was to see,
Love, choke at the hands of Love.

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