origins.

I am Kusum, 

a tree that grows naturally

in the foothills of the 

Himalayas, the Western Deccan, 

and all along the edges of 

India, Bangladesh, 

and Pakistan.

I even grow in Thailand, 

where i am fondly named 

Thakro, or Kho,

which is a palm tree. 

My trunk is 

short fluted, 

my shade is a 

s p r e a d i n g 

crown. 

I am strong and 

resilient, 

i grow despite 

frigid frost

and drought that is 

unforgiving,

I thrive at low altitudes,

and dry soil.

You will find my roots 

dug deeply

among rocks, gravel, 

laomy soil,-a rich friable 

soil equally mixed

of sand and silt

and small traces 

of clay. 

my soil is lightly acidic 

though well drained,

the faint smell of almonds

give away my fragrance.  

my flowers are cheerful, 

yet tiny, 

hardly 

noticeable, 

yet i bear fruit as well,

roughly the size of 

a small plumb.

Look closer at my bark, 

my 

h e a r t w o o d, 

holding the 

strength 

of giants,

my wood is is used for 

cart wheels, 

spokes, 

and heavy construction work.

for boat building, 

oil presses, 

and ploughs. 

it has been said that 

the shellac

obtained from the 

lac insects 

that dwell on my leaves

is superior to 

other yields on 

other trees.

I produce rich golden oil, 

called Macassar oil, 

which has a wealth of 

healing and 

medicinal properties.

My oil is used to 

promote hair growth, 

for cooking, 

and keeping 

lamps lit in the home, 

the oil is used to treat the skin 

of acne, itching, 

and burns. 

my bark and wood 

is a 

deep reddish brown color,

often used in infusions 

for inflamed skin and ulcers, 

a protectant 

against malaria.

my bark contains an

analgesic compound, 

lupeol and betulin,

and betulic acid, 

both of which are believed to be

anti cancer soldiers. 

i am kusum, 

perhaps in the mere beginnings,

just the small tiny, 

hardly noticeable 

flower parts. 

but as i have grown,

i realize i am 

now Kusum, 

the Tree.