Saturday, June 26, 2021

Crocodile in the Sky

Crocodile in the Sky
Dr Abe V Rotor


These two photographs of Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard were taken
from the Cultural Center of the Philippines where the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay 
Awards Ceremonies was held on that day, August 30, 2009.

Crocodile in the Sky 

I thought I would see the last of your kind 
With every tree cut, swamp drained, 
The river dammed or made into sewer, 
The shore into resort and fishpond. 
Or at least in homage, I would visit you
In a museum, stuffed or in skeleton.

Darwin and Freud studied you well, 
Didn’t they? So with Orwell and Marx, 
Prophets and sages of old and new, 
Crick and Watson, Venter and Collins – 
If your DNA doesn’t suffice to tell me 
All about you – then who are you? 

You must be a ghost who haunts and lurks, 
Immortal before your mortal demise 
And haunting man since his fall, 
And haunting him still - perhaps forever; 
Ah, you are the biblical devil no less 
To test man's rationality and obedience. 

You have no place then except the place 
Of your birth and those of your ancestors 
In flesh and blood – and if you are a ghost, 
It’s time to say goodbye to your friends, 
Your guardians, benefactors, 
And clear your image in the sky. ~ 


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