it was the eyes
that he noticed
first
in the night
and in the light
they could stop the traffic
glowing red
and
it was the jawline
rough
with a greenish tinge
of algae
multiplying
and somehow
it was the snout
that always seemed
longer
than before
always seeming
to need more length
to fit the teeth in
the permanent smile
of a friendly guy
waiting
in his place
should someone
happen
to walk by
stay to talk awhile
stay
if they’d like
for lunch
will you stay
for a while
for
lunch
.
.
.
.
ah well
.
.
.
.
it’s in the way
the skin beneath his chin
has corrugated
along straight lines
and into squares
raised
into ridges
upon his back
he wonders
why
but
it doesn’t matter
it’s okay
he’ll grab the camera
sidle down
to the swamp
sink into
the best place
for waiting
where it’s warm
then open up his mouth
in a slow
and sun-bake
smile
a broad
toothy
and green-lipped
smile
wait
wait patient
another gator
could be along
any time
~
Check out Ted’s marvelous American Alligator photographs (and much more) here.
