‘A tree is stationary but all life moves around it’

Such a poetic thought that a tree remains long after we are gone and sees more life than us.  A tree is man’s friend through all the ages, so why not protect and honour it! This profound idea comes from the pen of Mekhla Dhar, class 12 student at Apeejay School, Noida. Mekhla is passionate about the environment as well as human interconnection and she explores this train of thought  through her poems. 

In the Apeejay Promising Poet interview series, the budding writer mentions her love for Robert Frost’s poems and how they enable her to form her own poetic philosophy that explores, protects and values nature and its relationship with human beings. Edited excerpts:

At what age did you start writing poetry?

I have been writing stories and short pieces for a long time. But I started writing poetry in class 10, since the lockdown to be precise. I was 15 years of age then.

What was the inspiration to start writing poems?

I had been writing stories, essays and articles for a long time, so I thought let’s just change it. I wondered, “How about poetry” and took up a new challenge. My first few pieces were really cringe worthy but gradually I started improving a lot. I have been learning new words and implementing them in poems now. I aim to create a beautiful work of art.

Who is your favorite poet and what is your favorite poem?

Robert Frost is my favorite poet and it might be a bit clichéd but The Road Not Taken is my favorite poem.

Your poem The Tree Outside My Window is a good piece about how a tree is much more than a natural object, it is a companion at almost every stage of life. What was your thought process behind it?

For this poem, I took inspiration from the poem Dust of Snow by Robert Frost. Dust of Snow talks about a lot of symbolism in the poem. There is a part that talks about a poisonous tree, but it went on to symbolise harmony and peace. So, I thought that when a tree can symbolise so many positive things then why don’t I implement these in the tree I see outside the window.

What message would you give about environment and tree conservation through the poem?

The tree outside my window has been there for a very long time, even before we moved to this residence. It has been here even before my birth. A tree is something stationery but you’ll see that life moves around it. So, the tree will stay there and look after you as you age and even when someone else takes your place in the passage of time. That was my idea.  This tree has been looking after me for a long time now. It has been standing as a pillar of support and has helped me support me throughout my struggles, pains and aches. So, one should definitely save trees. It saves one through noise, pollution and more. It gives you peaceful vibes as well. So, don’t cut trees.

Do you prefer rhyme or free verse?

Free verse definitely because rhyme constricts you towards something particular.

How did your school Apeejay Noida help you to write such beautiful verses?

My school has really helped me a lot, especially all my English teachers Kanchan Ma’am, Shilpi Ma’am and Neena Ma’am. I would also like to thank my library incharge Renu Ma’am. She knows so much about literature and poems and she encourages me a lot. The English teachers help me improve my creative writing skills and push me forward for various writing contests.

Tell us about the process of writing a poem?

For the poem The Tree Outside My Window, we were given an assignment of creative writing by the school. I thought that I should write a poem this time for a change. I looked around for a topic and as I looked out of my window, I saw the tree and it was then that the idea struck me. I sat down for an hour and wrote without any breaks. The editing process took a little time and after some 2-3 days the poem was ready.

Tell us about the next poems you are going to write?

I am focused on the school exams as of now. But I do have some ideas in my head. I will be writing about human and animal relationships in my next poem.