Under the Chinaberry Tree
When I was a kid there were a number of Chinaberry Trees in my immediate vicinity. They had a rather exotic compound leaf structure and provided excellent shade ... not to mention the pretty blooms which resulted in some rather odd khaki colored fruits which ultimately fell to the ground in great numbers and the many seedlings which would sprout from the roots of the larger trees. |
It was what went on under those trees which comes to mind at various times when I look at something or smell something or even think of something totally unrelated.
It was there that I witnessed many a boar become a barrow at the pocket knife of my father's brother.
It was there that I saw classmates place the toxic berries into the thermos containing kool-aid of the now long gone Isadore; who by the way never did any harm to anyone and was, like me, chastised for being different among his peers.
It was there that I would swat many a yellowfly which had swooped in for a feast of me; and there I would often stop for a moment while walking around in the 98 degree 99 percent South Carolina August humidity.
So regardless of their status as an invasive plant originating in India; Chinaberry trees are certainly no less invasive than all of the rest of the species from India; and I have a bit of history with those trees — which I never see up close anymore in my concrete jungle of stalking vehicles, streetlights, pavement and highrise edifices into which I burrow each day to do my work.
Country, yes I'm a little bit country. A very little bit -- despite my occasional Southern drall, ya'll.