“Cherry Tree,” is a chapter from Bushra Rehman’s novel, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion. The book follows Razia Mirza, a Pakistani American girl growing up in Corona, Queens, during the 1980s. We learn about her friendships and relationships with her family, neighborhood, and Islam. Further into the story, she makes new memories in the city and with a girl she can’t stop thinking about. Razia discovers parts of herself (that she cares for tremendously) that are not ideal to her family and their expectations.  

In “Cherry Tree,” Razia’s sister, Safia, is finally born, but her mother goes into a deep depression and experiences emotional and physical stress across her body. Because she takes out her frustrations on Razia, the cherry tree in their front yard is the only place Razia finds solace. The cherry tree brings joy to both of them, giving them a space to separate themselves from a tense household. By the end of the chapter, the tree reminds Razia’s mom of her childhood memories of Pakistan, and her body remembers all the trees she climbed and explored.