Plunging past irises, 
we dove
into the foaming, roaring seas. 
Strange animals swam there 
between the bubbles, 
and hidden within the weeds.

You said you sighted 
the Blue-Eyed Basilisk, 
whose eyes have only corners 
and the mouth a permanent sneer.

But it was I who saw 
the Trembling Troll, 
its timid gaze brown
behind veiled and pallid fronds, 
the darting and diving guardians
of its delicate vision.

We also glimpsed
the Silent Giant, 
with golden eyes
and emerald skin, 
and a faint, impassive, 
yet kindly smile.

We came up for air, 
and we still
didn't know
who we were.

Timothy Joko-Veltman
10h03 11.10.16
Brasília, Brasil