he receives no affection, no care; no one waters him, no one nourishes his roots, no one tends his soil.
He hardens the ground beneath his own feet and grows tall — neglected, overlooked.
Yet once he has grown, the world’s expectations of him are immense.
His fruit must be sweet, his sap deeply desired!
From that sap comes jaggery — precious, beneficial, delicious.
To collect that sap, he is wounded over and over, year after year.
As long as he lives, he is tapped and drained — his essence extracted drop by drop.
When his sap is gone, his worth fades.
He is left behind — lonely, forgotten.
And when his life is over, he becomes fuel for the fire —
burning, blazing, until he turns to ashes.
Yet the date palm never complains, never protests, never asks for love or anything in return.
It only gives — fruit, sap, and service — bowing its head quietly to fulfill everyone’s needs.
A heartfelt salute to the men who are like the date palm trees.
May they all stay well and healthy — at least for the sake of their families.
