Crocodile Tears

The boardwalk surfaces and the dock dries
Retreating to the creature's snout
the tired visitors land
Flocking to rest on that craggily face
Enjoying salty treats.

The rainbow petals yawn slowly
Creaking open, blinking on occasion
laden heavy with velleity and the morning dew
The lonely girl knows not to move,
She dared not scare away the attention.

Dead bark for skin, slick with green mildew
Years of neglect and hiding in the dark
Could she be beautiful?

Her tears are of relief
of doubt
of joy
For a moment all is still, as that jagged place grew flowers.
Like a garland bow most gently placed, atop a newborn’s head.

The Archerfish spots the flutter of painted targets.
Incites doom with a jet of water
Finding its mark, dead center.

So all returned to their ways, back to the nature of things.
The butterflies frantically flew away
The fish violently became prey
The dear caiman sighed the longest of sighs

Slinking deeper into the slimy bayou to sulk once more.
Blinking away the pain, with no more tears left to shed.