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  • Grandfather Crocodile
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Grandfather Crocodile

Xanana Gusmão

For Marta B. Neves, Lisbon

The legend says
and who am I to disbelieve!

The sun perched atop the sea
opened its eyes
and with its rays
indicated a way

From the depths of the ocean
a crocodile in search of a destiny
spied the pool of light, and there he surfaced

Then wearily, he stretched himself out
in time
and his lumpy hide was transformed
into a mountain range
where people were born
and where people died

Grandfather crocodile

— the legend says
and who am I to disbelieve
that he is Timor!


Xanana Gusmão

from Mar Meu – Poemas e Pinturas de Xanana Gusmão (Porto: Granito, 2002)

translated  by Kirsty Sword & Ana Luisa Amaral

Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holder. If you can advise us of the appropriate acknowledgement to be made please contact reception@spl.org.uk

Tags:

crocodiles East Timor myths

About this poem

This poem, representing Timor-Leste, is part of The Written World – our collaboration with BBC radio to broadcast a poem from every single nation competing in London 2012.

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Xanana Gusmão

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