Bonsai

A Forty-year-old Ficus

By: Charles Giuliano - Sep 18, 2015

Bonsai

When I worked at the
Herald Traveler
Back in 1975
During the evening commute
On a whim
Purchased a house plant
Flower shop in the subway
Member of ficus family
Revived through many
Near death experiences
Disease and neglect
Finally terminal
Sticky scale
Leaves a mess
One last attempt
Total triage
All leaves removed
Pruned to a stump
Root ball reduced
Soil replaced
Forced growth
Miraculous recovery
Green and shiny
Last rays of summer
Then back inside
For another winter
Ancient companion
Gnarled and complex
Forty years later
Illustrating my
Journey in
The secret life of plants