Island flora

Once, upon a walk
to a wild land close to home
(So far away, now!)
A red-soil path led down under ancient bush...
A remnant, I deemed it,
of remote times,
when Africa was wetter.
Over a rock
streaked black with plant-stains,
spilled a vine,
all tough, springy wood
and large, dark, glossy leaves.
It grew lush in the shade.
In all the land, the only patch
of wild fig.
Perhaps descended 
from the giant stranglers
which grew in the rain-forests

before Eden was shut.