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The Boy In the Banyan

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2/26/19  This 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.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019




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Date: 3/2/2019 8:26:00 AM
Love this story! Great poetry! Freedom has a price...sometimes exercisers later unhappy with the consequences, then pleading to too many gods and not the One who can really help. This is the result of not accepting the mission one is given. The banyan tree is his own cowardice. Less pleading am more purging could work?
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Greg Gaul
Date: 3/2/2019 1:30:00 PM
Doubtless Joe, you offer a reasoned response to the question that my fantasy poses.I appreciate your read and thoughtful insight. Maybe someday you'll go and see the actual boy in the Banyan and reflect further on the puzzlement. Thank you.
Date: 2/27/2019 10:16:00 PM
A pleasure to read. Congrats on your well deserved win, Greg.
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Greg Gaul
Date: 2/28/2019 12:31:00 PM
Thanks muchly Line. Congrats too to you for your sultry sax piece.
Date: 2/26/2019 9:05:00 AM
A lovely feel has this poem. It brings me to thoughts of Arabian nights, even though it is a poem of the sea. Romantic.
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Greg Gaul
Date: 2/26/2019 3:00:00 PM
Lucky for us Caren that you are a hopeless romantic. Your kind comments raise up even the most banal verse. You see the best in everything. Thank you for falling in the Banyan tree in Cadazan and feeling the exotic moment.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things