First I saw bubbles —

just two or three —

breaking the surface

of the water near me.

And then into view

came the beast’s ugly snout —

“Crocodile!  Crocodile!”

the world heard me shout.

I ran up the bank

as it clambered ashore

and sat in the sun

where I’d been before.

When it opened its jaws,

I had a strong hunch —

if I hadn’t moved quickly,

I would have been lunch!

Freshwater crocodile, Cobbold Gorge, North Queensland. Photo by Ginette Pestana