Watching Crocs on PBS
Max is wedged between Daddy and Mana
Joey baby-draped on Daddy’s torso,
Wordless, we watch crocodiles slide long
through black water on a Madagascar river.
We watch the crocs’ watchers too,
colorful clutch of villagers,
smiling reverent throng at river’s edge.
Joey points to the crocs, then looks back
to Manna and Daddy significance and yes-
reverence writ wide on his perfect face,
awe his wordless communication.
Max, newly four, is moving into his head,
carried there by language.
“Do crocodiles eat people?”
“I’m not scared of crocodiles...”
“Are their teeth real sharp?”
Daddy, man-son of Manna,
says nothing,
smiles on his clutch of sons
the fair one, the dark one,
back to Manna
significance and yes reverence
writ wide on his handsome face.
Manna smiles back
Awe our wordless communication.
Mary, Mother of Colin
Mana Grandmother of Joey and Max
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