P. Dayanandan
By the entrance to the Garden of Eden
There I waited for the botanist
who knew all about mustards, figs and lilies.
“Tell me, Cousin Jesus
I have seen the tree of Knowledge
And the Tree of Life
Show me the Tree of Freedom
Unguarded by swords, serpents or priests"
He took me past the Garden of Gethsemane
There it was – a cross of dead wood.
He said that he had climbed it
and knew that I could climb it too
I hugged him and kissed him
I broke the chains, shattered the bloody nails,
Cleared the garden and raised a forest
The sweet smell of freedom filled every pore
I am the Tree of Life!
This poem was written by Dr. Paulraj Dayanandan with Easter in his mind, as a card conveying his best wishes to all.
~~~
Dr. P. Dayanandan retired as a professor and chairman of botany after teaching for 38 years in the US. His interests range from all aspects of botany to Pallava art history, Tamil literature, Dalit issues, education, space biology and spending time with young people to explore social consequences of oppression and empowering them to pursue studies in India and abroad. Ten years ago he helped organize a student and youth group called 'THUDI' involved in educating, agitating and organizing.
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