061810d Ancient Whale Hunters Poem by Manonton Dalan

old wooden boat with outriggers
glides to rippling sea searching
for shark whale at narrow channel
natives arm with bamboo harpoon
look with sharpness of an eagle
one in mind to take home a blubber

when shadow spotted they wait
to surface; with a speed of a cat
jumps from boat; plants harpoon
on unsuspecting head for kill
that might be last time he'll fly
i wish i won't hear whale's cry

***
lamlera, indonesia
last whale hunters