Genetta Tigrina Poem by Diana van den Berg

Genetta Tigrina



For a long time
I have known you were there.
I saw your droppings in my garden
and told Makhosi and Tigger and Daisy about you.
And last night, I saw you –
not just a glimpse -
you were there
in all your magnificence,
early in the evening,
first of all, on my verandah
and then you slunk down the stairs
with more grace
and presence
than a princess
at her first ball
and my heart stopped
and so did you
right under my window
where I stood
in breathless awe
and the outside light shone full
on every one of your
perfectly framed
large spots
on either side of your elegant body
and you foraged in the Digitaria diversinervus
right below me.

You didn’t know I was there,
but I didn’t feel
a traitor
for
I was for you
I was with you
and I was you
for several glorious moments
that will last forever
and I had to phone my son
who knew.

You honour me
and my forest

and dare I hope
that you live in one or more
of my treetops?
Logic tells me you do,
but that seems too much honour
for little old me.

Thank you Genetta tigrina,
you blew me away.

(29 September 2007)

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Diana van den Berg

Diana van den Berg

Durban, South Africa
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