Boy In The Banyan Poem by Greg Gaul

2/26/19This is a fantasy poem, a composite of Roman God myths, a Banyan tree (fig tree considered spiritual, symbol of immortality)and an estate called Ca' d'Zan. During the 1920s, circus mogul John Ringling built his dream mansion (Ca' d'Zan, nenamed in this poem Cadazan)on Sarasota Bay in Florida. Roman Gods: Neptune (ruled the seas)and Minerva (ruled crafts)are mentioned as characters in this created myth. Neptune had a penchant for acquiring domains around the earth. Guarding Cadazan was the point of contention. The son in the poem is unnamed.



Everlastingly entwined in the Banyan tree.
A royal boy who spurned his rightful throne
in Cadazan, the mythic palace by the sea.

For his childish mistake he'll ever be
Neptune's wrathful object turned to stone.
Everlastingly entwined in the Banyan tree.

Caged, he woefully wails his apology,
Minerva's appeal couldn't make him atone
in Cadazan, the mythic palace by the sea.

Nightly in the wood, hear his plea
where he ran to hide, entangled alone.
Everlastingly entwined in the Banyan tree.

Gods struggle to resolve this hopelessly,
a prince's refusal to guard his kingdom home
in Cadazan, the mythic palace by the sea.

What wisdom in this fantasy does one see?
More empathy Neptune should have shown?
Everlastingly entwined in the Banyan tree,
in Cadazan, the mythic palace by the sea.