[TD 10 Year Anniversary Commission Piece Series] Under the Shade of a Narra Tree By Kiana Amarnani

For Talang Dalisay’s 10th year this 2026, we are beyond thrilled to be working with commissioned writers to re-continue and contribute to our online blog space, soon turned into a physical zine. With our editor in chief Maria Nilad, and founder Macy Castañeda Lee, we feature talented Filipino writers and storytellers year round through prose, poetry, and more.

Under the Shade of a Narra Tree

By Kiana Amarnani | Edited by Maria Nilad | Produced by Macy Castañeda Lee

How else would I know that summer is coming,

if not for the sweet citrus smell in the wind,

if not for the yellow petals falling like confetti on my hair.

The Narra tree I grew up under celebrated my every step,

on the first and last days of class, showering her pride around me.

In college now, I stand under a vast but uncertain sky.

I know the violence waged against life. My beloved Narra tree

collapsed in a thunderstorm far from natural. The rings of history in hardwood dropped to the ground.

I blow out candles through high heat advisories

and find myself looking for yellow petals. Perhaps I always will.

As I grow older I’m told I embody her roots as I fight for change

and cry for justice. With every victory, I celebrate like her,

in the shade of community, using sauce jars as vases

for blooming yellow flowers.