REBELLIOUS YOUTH

Leaving the shelter of its loved ones, -

the green leaf departed.

Will it realise its mistake, as it crashes -

upon the earth's breast?

Towards a new land, it spreads its wings -

born of rebellious spirit, its downfall was inevitable.

Perhaps the tree pleaded, saying,

"Do not leave me now, do not go far away."

In hopeful adolescence, the mind is rebellious –

Now, it is deprived of sweet, warm embrace.

It thought that, the wind was its friend,

while spreading the wings of its dreams.

Wishing to venture to unknown lands, 

refusing to be bound.

Upon the scorched earth, it falls helplessly –

Its mind returns to the home of lush branches.

When the leaf falls, leaving everything behind for -

distant lands, the tree is also hurt -

and the earth knows it too.

In the swirling of time, all the simple dreams -

are shattered and innumerous such mistakes -

cannot be ever rectified.

The tree never wanted the leaf to be a deserter -

while the leaf only wanted to reach for -

a new sky on the raft of its imagination.

Prasenjit Das © 1997-2026