Our Casuarina Tree is a poem published in 1881 by Toru Dutt [Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan], an Indian poet.
In this poem Toru Dutt celebrates the majesty of the casuarina tree that she used to see by her window, and remembers her happy childhood days spent under it and revives her memories with her beloved siblings.
The poem begins with the description of the tree.The poet says that the creeper has wound itself around the rugged trunk of the Casuarina Tree, like a huge Python.
Toru Dutt says that it is not because of the majestic appearance of the Casuarina Tree that it is dear to her heart and soul, but also that she along with her siblings spent happy moments under it.
Toru Dutt has brought out the theme of nature as something that shares feelings with humans, that lightens the burden on the heart.
It was wearing the scarf of the creeper hung with crimson cluster of flowers among the boughs accompanied by the bird and swarms of bees humming around.
In her imagination she is again transported to the golden age and hears the same cries, laughter and noise of her sweet departed playmates.
The poet remembers the tree because of the many happy memories of childhood days that are linked to it which are a source of comfort and consolation to her in another country.
She was very close to her dead brother and sister named Abju and Aru respectively who loved the Casuarina tree very greatly.