Through Altamira’s Window into the Past
The forest is restless
for the wisent’s cloven hooves
summer winds are eager
to rustle its shaggy coat
whip its short-brush tail
A world awaits the bulls’
roar in mating season
the snorts and grunts of herds
grazing in valleys and on plains
the broad muscular beast
in charcoal and ochre —
chiaroscuro
rendered in rock contours
cave painters preserved
what hunters erased
Through Altamira’s window
we run backwards
into the Magdalenian wisent’s eyes
the pain of being stuck on a wall
Martha Landman writes in Adelaide, South Australia where she is a member of the Friendly Street Poets. Her work has appeared online and in print in UK, US and Australia.
Brava, Martha, so good to see you in print!
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