Tiktaalik

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Tiktaalik



In the beginning, God

created everything. So it went:

cosmic egg, serpent,

proto man, and water,

darkness, light. In that order

with slight variations. Words invent

everything: Theos en ho logos.



The voice of a man sent 

from God stirred up dry leaves,

wet the lips with new myths.

For such a spring

I thirst, Theophilus.



Not the poor

wisdom that fish devours fish

but some spiritual gift

for driftwood washed ashore.



See, see, a Devonian Tiktaalik

returns once more to water at the beginning.

I probably use this adjective too often, but it's the one that fits my feelings reading this poem: marvellous.

"Tiktaalik" is a magical word, and an even more magical title.

"Words invent everything" is my new mantra. But the whole poem carrys one along from creation to a very grounded genesis and on to the second half where mankind now sits, wondering, trying to explain but most importantly, experiencing simultaneously both knowledge and divinity.