What tree is this
that stands so tall, so broad?
More than one century in age, I’m told.
It creeps, tangles thick across the earth
like some heathen’s diabolical tentacles.
If these be strangler roots
then what poor enraptured creatures lie beneath,
choked by weight and lack of light.
Fenced off as if to warn,
do not climb or come near.
Beware of danger,
capture or consumption
by multiple orgasmic trunks.
Solitary owl sits sentry, hidden within its leaves,
guarding who from what we do not know.
Gawk and wonder, but this be all,
lest you learn its secrets
or become one.
Written for Open Link Night at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today/tonight Bjorn is hosting from Stockholm Sweden and invites us to post a poem of our choice, or a poem responding to an optional prompt he provides.
Photos are from yesterday’s walking tour of Balboa Park in San Diego. This tree is the largest tree in California. It’s a strangler fig, one of 900 species in the genus Ficus. It has a complex root system which includes large sculptural buttress roots growing above ground for support; smaller roots growing near the soil, providing oxygen and nutrients; and aerial roots which hang down from branches. I was just mesmerized by this tree and most especially its roots which really look like snakes or tentacles of living creatures… to me they could be something out of a horror show and seemed life-like! And yes, there was a solitary owl hiding within the leaves.
lillian the home poet 
What an amazing creation. I especially like these lines:
“If these be strangler roots
then what poor enraptured creatures lie beneath,
choked by weight and lack of light.”
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I love the description, and it makes me thinking of Old Man Willow from The Lord of the Ring. I wonder if Tolkien was inspired by pictures like this (even though it’s not a willow), this:
then what poor enraptured creatures lie beneath,
choked by weight and lack of light.
Makes me think that the answer has to be a poor hobbit
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My goodness the roots really do look like snakes or tentacles of living creatures, Lillian! I love the intricate details of the poem especially “Solitary owl sits sentry, hidden within its leaves.” ❤️❤️
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You more than do the tree justice, “tangles thick across the earth/like some heathen’s diabolical tentacles” indeed!
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Love your poem full of images! That is an amazing tree!
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Incredible pictures, tree, and experience to see the owl there. Your poem brings it to life!
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Lillian,
Your imagery has an air of mystery, evoking an atmosphere of danger and intrigue!
~David
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Trees are so amazing, Lill, and you must have had a wonderful time on your walking tour of Balboa Park. I would love to have seen that owl hiding in the leaves! Your poem the tree justice, especially the lines:
‘It creeps, tangles thick across the earth
like some heathen’s diabolical tentacles’,
which compare it to a mythical creature.
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I agree with Melissa’s choice of lines – you turn this tree into aa sinister phenomena…
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What an amazing tree, Lillian. Thank you for sharing. I would think it is older than a century. The trees in our yard are probably at over that, too. I love how you get the roots and the owl into your poem. I think old trees must have so much wisdom.
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Your poem brought this amazing tree to life. These were my favorite lines,
“If these be strangler roots
then what poor enraptured creatures lie beneath,
choked by weight and lack of light.”
What a terrible way to go.
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(sorry if this is a duplicate comment)
Lillian, I follow some fb groups that show pics of large trees around the world and am always amazed at how large and old they can get. Aside from our redwoods, most the trees in the US are small in comparison. How amazing this tree is and that it lives in the US is twice as amazing. Would like to know more about it, so will check out the Balboa Park website to learn more. I love where your imagination took you with the tree, and what a bonus to have the tiny owl hiding in there.
Good to see you and hear you read at the LIVE event today!
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Lillian, I found info about it at the park website, if your readers want to know more:
https://balboapark.org/attractions-experiences/moreton-bay-fig-tree-balboa-park/
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Wow! Your poem is fantastic and those supporting photos, just awesome
Much♡love
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That is some fig tree! Love your evocative rendering of the tree.
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