Grandfather Crocodile
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!
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.
