Rain-tree br br The rain-tree is of cassia family - br Like an elephant it stands on the road, clothed br With thick green foliage, dark against the sky br All along the Bandra-Kurla road in Mumbai. br br You have to exert a little and see br Over the top to see the nazuna-type br Of pink flowers sitting above the foliage br In plentiful numbers, with up-thrust pink hairs. br br Unlike the African tulip in front of ONGC br At Bandra Flyover visible from the distance, br Here the pink and green does not show off br As rain-tree flowers don’t advertise themselves. br br Unlike copper-pod’s bright yellow flowers br The rain tree flowers don’t weave a carpet: br I’ve never seen the flowers on the ground below br Nor do they wither on the tree, how I wonder! br br In monsoon rains, the leaves shine specially, br Transparent drops falling on walkers below, br Or with a thud on the racing car bonnets too, br Some choose to fall on road to rise a bit upwards.