Creature
Observing.
Frozen in time,
captivated by this enormous being,
the size of a small car.
Pondering,
his every move.
The way he used his hands;
so child-like.
With all the consciousness of the world,
and graceless coordination.
Aware.
of the visitors,
as they briefly called out for his attention.
Only for a moment,
then they were gone.
Untamed,
in an orderly sham.
He sat there,
in his dark cave.
As if he was waiting for the light to find him.
Perched,
on a boulder,
squatting, and primitive.
Drawing in the dirt with one hand.
Swatting a fly with the other.
Surreal,
His nature,
as he rushed to consume his food.
The females hovered behind him,
watching intently,
like me.
His movement mechanic.
His presence powerful.
He was the king of his domain.
Studying,
his magnificence, I watched.
How smart was he?
Could he feel my presence?
Engulfed in the very essence of all that was him,
I watched.
Wondering,
how he felt, I watched.
Did he think he was still in the womb of Mother Nature?
Or, did he know the iron bars which embrace him now?
Then
it happened;
our eyes met.
He noticed my presence.
His gaze intimidated me,
But I did not look away.
He approached me.
I felt his eyes inspecting my soul.
A chill ran down my back,
I turned behind me,
only to find no other presence there.
When I turned back,
we were face to face.
Separated by the sham,
And a two inch piece of glass.
Just me and him,
the two of us,
and the females hovering behind him.
Wise,
His old eyes spoke to me,
They said
“I am like you.
I love, I feel, I hurt.
I am, like you.”
Sympathetic,
I put my hand on the glass
and with all the
consciousness of the world,
he did the same.
With tears in my eyes,
I smiled.
Then, he pooped in his other hand
and wiped it on the glass.
This was a sign of endearment.
I laughed out loud.
And I swear,
He smiled back.
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