In summer days,
in the middle of a paddy field
a mango tree
among all other trees
It’s only leafy green which grows taller
protecting shade seekers.

Like Buddha’s Pipal tree
this mango tree –
an epitome of peace
where birdsong is a trance.

After school three boys
gather under it as usual
to fulfil their desires-

They dip unripe mango slices
in burning hot chutney with Pantras*,
offer it to farm workers,
quench their thirst with tube water
fresh, cool and satisfying.

They have no fears
nor do they ever shed tears
as they have all they need
air, water, food and shade.

*Pantras is a Tharu dialect for Acmella Olerace

Kuma Raj Subedi, MA / MTESL, is a lecturer and an Australian poet. His numerous creations have been published on various platforms: online and in print, such as  Misty Mountain Review, Indian Review, Muse India, Sahitya Post, Scarlet Dragonfly, Aksharang, The Gorkha Times, Of  Nepalese Clay, The Indian Periodical, Nepalnamcha, Poetishes, The Offline Thinker, Setopati, Poeticia, The Rising Junkiri, Sahitya Sangraha, The Writer’s Cafe etc. He often writes about issues such as women’s suffering, memories, religion, nature, migration, love and culture. He is also a member of the poetry reading groups Friendly Streets Poets and TramsEnd Poets in South Australia.