As all of us are aware, the Govt. of GOA succumbed to the greed and pressure of the Real Estate mafia and declassified the Coconut tree, decreeing the eventual death of thousands of them that were the joy of our childhood, icons of the image and culture of our country. I am availing of that sad occasion to reproduce a tribute paid to the tree some time back,with the twin aim of reviving fond memories while providing food for thought on the destiny and destination(?) of our country under its current dispensation.
Coconut Trees To far-off coconut groves When young we were wont to roam For the awaited monthly harvesting, One of the many vital mainstays Of the old manor's daily sustenance. It was so heartening to watch Planted young saplings sprout and spurt, Shooting up sleek and slender Way up in the air, straight or bended When they were old, nests like Xmas stockings Would hang impishly upside down With flights of noisy sparrows brawling And soft-feathered nestlings warbling. Every year their yellow green fronds Enriched our Palm Sunday morns While their dried plaited leaves Shielded us from the tempest breeze And the raging monsoon gusts. And how could we, of yore, have kept Houses a mite more spick and span Were it not for their leaves' lean spines Bundled together in an utilitarian bind? Without their lowly, manifold husks Could we, of old, have baked the many-layered cake? 1 And, at weary day's setting dusk, Looking forward to a relaxing sundowner, What could replace the fabled draught? 2 At break of dawn The “rendeiro” 3 with scythe drawn Would hop up their smooth, shining sides Notch after notch, with ankles by cords held tight' Climbing to the crest of sparse foliage To pick the precious earthenware He'd left behind the night before To garner, drop by drop, the divine nectar4 That is the pride of the land, Leavening our singular festive bread5 That's our fill with unique pork fare. 6 We hailed the ubiquitous coconut tree, Priceless jewel of our beloved country But now harvests are slowly dwindling 'Cos newcomers are subtly filching. Folks have now come in with much experience Living and labouring with itchy fingers Are we then also to look ahead with trepidation At the not impossible eventual evaporation Of our much loved, inherited libation? 1= Bibinca 2= FENI (local alcoholic drink) 3= Man who specializes in climbing the tree to collect the drink 4= Toddy (Sur) 5= Sanna 6=Sorpotel