Maple or Ivory?

I grew up with a belief that ivory leaves signified goodluck charm - I read a mention of those leaves in a classic novel or a historic event. Ivory - I wonder why they are called so - would there be a resemblance of any sorts to actual ivory. They ain't white in color, for all I know. Whatever, I can relate to them. However, more than ivory, it was the Maple that caught my attention since ages. Today, when I look back - I understand the reason. God - I have loved you for all the sensitivities that you have given me.

I have been nurturing my "maples" for over six months now. Except few very hectic days, when I would have been on the "No-time-for-myself" spree, I hardly remember a day when I wouldn't have spent few minutes, talking to them and taking
care of them.

Yesterday morning, the feeling with which I woke up was not all that well. I will blame it on my dream. I woke up with a shudder - and the first thing I did was to go out and see if my maples were fine. Yes. I had lost them in my dreams.

I frantically tried to find them out - and I don't remember whether I got them or not. But the thought was disturbing enough to keep me occupied for the next couple of hours. Freud would know what the dream signified. All I felt was strange. But it only reconfirmed my belief that I will always take care of them.

Someday, I will have the same groove - spreading all over my place. I live with a picture perfect image of it. Thank you God for sharing nature with me, the way you have.

They ain't maple leaves - or maybe they are. I couldn't care less. To me, they are.


Though they bear a resemblance to wild maples, they ain't as fine as an actual maple species. The man who gave me had told me the scientific name for them - which I very conveniently have forgotten now. When I got them, they were plain brown sticks in a bundle - say about 10-15 of them. I wondered if they would flourish - for days, I would just see those sticks buried deep into the soil, with no sign of life in them.

And then one morning, I observed a sprout. They were beginning to flourish. Kopal - I remember the very first one. I was happy. My maple had life. Amen. And I hope they are forever, which I am sure they will.

I will post the picture of my maples soon here - they have been making their way up the wall. Tiny little leaves, surviving the versatile nature. You are my hope and I will continue to cling on to you - don't let me down. Do I need to say the words? Some things are better left unsaid.