Greg Gaul Poet Villanelle

Notes About The Poem

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, renamed 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.

The Boy In the Banyan

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.

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Joseph P. DiMino March 2, 2019 at 8:26 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? Greg Gaul March 2, 2019 at 1:30 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.

Line Gauthier February 27, 2019 at 10:16 PM A pleasure to read. Congrats on your well deserved win, Greg. Greg Gaul February 28, 2019 at 12:31 PM Thanks muchly Line. Congrats too to you for your sultry sax piece.

Caren Krutsinger February 26, 2019 at 9:05 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. Greg Gaul February 26, 2019 at 3:00 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.