A Galapagos Lad
Rafael whistles a vermilion
flycatcher to us
ascending green branch by green
branch.
Rafael grew up on these strange
islands
learned the language of its birds
and of undersea creatures.
He speaks to sea lions
imitates their comical walk
swims in their wake.
He knows the caves of sharks—
The Galapagos lad inhabits
These wild volcanic wastes
Rafael at home in this place.
