Saturday, February 12, 2011

Trees locked in Embrace


From a distance the two trees looked like one. The smaller, light green leaves of the Neem, merging with the larger, darker coloured leaves of the banyan. The branches were intertwined- locked together in a divine embrace. They were one, it would be impossible to tear them apart. And yet, though close together, their trunks stood apart, maintaining their separate identities.

The Neem tree is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. Her consort, Shiva, is said to reside in the trunk of the Banyan tree. Were those two trees a representation of their Union? Did they personify a successful marriage?
_____

drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.

15 comments:

Margo Benson said...

Beautiful - very pure and spare writing. I love the imagery both in the writing and the visual - lovely.

Anonymous said...

Rayna - Khalil Gibran wrote this of marriage: "Aye, you shall be together...but let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of heaven dance between you...And stand together, yet not too near together....the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."

Your beautiful 'photo and this wonderful Drabble made me think of that...

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Beautiful story and imagery!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful metaphor!

Mason Canyon said...

The inspiring metaphor brings these trees into human form and gives way to so many wonderful stories. As always, a great drabble.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Unknown said...

Lovely drabble. It made me reflect on my marriage and all the various relationships in my life. Great symbolism!

Happy Valentine's!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's amazing the trees have thrived together!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And God said the two shall become as one...

Oddyoddyo13 said...

That's amazing! I really thought they were one tree until you said they were two. :)

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

What a very intriguing way to see these trees.

Sue said...

I too thought of the Gibran words when I read this. It's lovely.

I'm so pleased I now know the significance of a Neem tree. I think they were mentioned in "A Suitable Boy"

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

This is lovely.
I found the cut stumps of two trees, one almost molded half-way around the other. It made me sad, somehow, to think the died for their closeness.

KjM said...

Your drabble is just gorgeous, and many-layered. You fold the spiritual, the human and nature so elegantly.

Such excellent writing - and storytelling. A high art.

Dorte H said...

Beautiful pictures and idea.

Natasha said...

@ Margo - thank you so much. The trees are real, as is the story I was told. And I do think the beauty is in the story itself.

@ Margot - those are such beautiful lines. I am honoured that my drabble made you think of that. Thank you.

@ Debra - thank you. For some strange reason, I did think of you when I was told that story. You and one other person I know.

@ Fiona - thank you. When I was taking the pictures, I was wishing the trees were more intertwined - would have made better pictures for sure- but this is a better metaphor.

@ Mason - thank you. The tree are actually symbolic of the two gods in Hindu myth.

@ Chary - thank you, Chary. And you too.

@ Diane - apparently many temple complexes have the two trees growing together. Found that out only after publishing the drabble.

@ Alex - apt. Except, these two ARE gods!

@ Oddyoddyo13 - from a distance they do look like one, don't they?

@ Mary - Hindu myth. I was only told the story.

@ Sue - thank you. It is an honour to be compared to those words, which are among the best ever written.

@ Tricia - that is so sad. Did one smother the other? I hope not.

@ KjM - thank you so much.

@ Dorte - thank you.

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