The Galup Tree

The p-alup trees have leaves of flaming gold; The galup nuts are tender maize and brown; When sou’easts come the leaves all flutter by, And piccaninnies chase them up and down.

A warrior spirit dwells within this tree; A mighty one, who, when in search of food, For many moons sought islands far away, Then homeward brought the things he had found good.

Homeward he came and cooking fires were lit; Homing, as he feasted, heard Death call, And from this well-loved warrior’s grave there grew The glowing tree whose leaves, like soft flames, fall.

Alice Allen Innes.