The Custard Apple

It hung so near the trunk of the tree, And stayed unnoticed for a long time, Hidden by a leafy canopy, And growing bigger than most others! It was not scorched by the noon-time sun, Nor wetted by the lashing rains, Or shaken by the winds that howl, But was over-fed in mother's way! I plucked it off lest someone stole Or wood-peckers come make a hole, And parrots beak it up like nuts, Leaving its empty rind hanging! I wrapped the fruit in a plastic bag, And thought it would ripen very soon; Alas! The fruit never ripened at all, Remaining green and looking fresh! It was as hard as granite stone; It did not dry or change color; It stayed that way when kept outside, But never ripened any day! I pondered what could have happened Preventing the fruit from ripening; ‘There is a time for everything, And when a fruit ripens! ' - says the Bible. Yet, human beings find new ways Of doing things unnaturally; Nevertheless, they hardly win; But Mother Nature does better! Man's knowledge and experience fails In every field and every sphere; The Nature, God created stays Unraveled, unrivaled winner always. Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-10-2012