Casualty of Greatness

once long ago,
a wild bush
raised its head
in a manicured garden

elegant, stylish,
well groomed and
pampered shrubs 
for company
it felt both 
elated and scared
will it survive here
or will it be picked out
at the first light of dawn?


the gardener 
compassionate and tender
takes the wild bush 
in his care
and showers 
it with all his love...

the wild bush
is well fed,
well groomed,
pampered,
as the elegant shrubs.
it enjoys the attention
the status
the aristocracy!

And, then
as it grows,
its inquisitiveness 
its abandon
its uninhibited peculiarities
is manicured routinely
by the caring gardener

it is removed from
the chirping
naughty birds
and tricks of
rowdy chameleons-
the company of
tickling insects
and charming fire-flies...

the lowly,
earthy bush
is given metered doses
of expensive groomers
healthy diet and
protective cover...
it is treated as an equal
by the great gardener....

the effort fructifies
in the manicured garden,
there is now a new occupant
rubbing shoulders with
sophisticated shrubs
with elan and gaiety...

wild bush gives in-
becomes one 
with the surroundings 
and drowns itself 
in the loving care
showered on it...


it had protected itself 
in harsh wilderness
but it could not survive
the greatness of the Gardener!