A lakeside banyan

By X. Z. Shao

A lakeside banyan,

with its aerial root dangling,
is a guardian
to the retreat I frequented.
Eager to see it take root,
I picked up a rock
and pressed its beard
on the glassy ground.
But every time
a visitor or stroller
held and swayed the root for fun.
They took it from the soil,
while I wanted them kiss.
This game seemed going on for good.
One day I saw it hold at last.
And now it has grown
to be a supporting trunk
as big as my arm.

                 2014/3/5