CROCODILE CHILD

CROCODILE CHILD

My child, my darling,

I saw your snout

grow sharp and hungry

when, head averted, you looked away from me.

I know you long to stop

feeding between my breasts

and hunt for other hearts.

I weep and blood runs with my tears.

You begged me to smooth your newly tender flesh

when you cast aside your skin,

but you nipped my wrists until they bled

when gentle wasn't kind enough.

My child, my darling, my crocodile.

Copyright Ruth Hartley 1990? Lusaka