The Litany of Leaves : The Bodhi Tree

The Litany of Leaves: The Bodhi Tree

Resting under this ancient tree,
you closed your eyes; closed your eyes and just rested.
The tree was grateful for your presence.
The sap of life surged up through the roots and brought back life
to the tired branches and the silent leaves.
You sat in silence and did not know
that the tree watched and listened.

The tree knew the litany of leaves,
the pages of the life of the tree.
While you wandered, the tree was rooted--
rooted in her waiting,
waiting and watching,
watching and listening,
listening for the footfalls  on the routes
Every route you followed ,
in every season of life,
brought you closer to the root of the tree,
and oh, such a long wait for the tree !
The leaves were going to fall.
Their litany of prayers was heard.
They will fall in peace,
leaving the empty space
to the new leaves coming in the place.
The new leaves will not know
the songs of the litany the old leaves sang,
but the tree will know their song and remember
the day you came and rested here
closing your eyes in peace.