---
title: 'Serengeti'
project: 'Elegies for Alternate Selves'
...

The self is a serengeti \
a wide grassland with baobab trees \
reaching their roots deep into earth \
like a child into a clay pot \
A wind blows there or seems to blow \
if he holds it up to his ear the air shifts \
like stones in a stream uncovering a crawfish \
it finds another hiding place watching you \
Its eyes are blacker than wind \
on the serengeti they are the [eyes of a predator][formal] \
they are coming toward you or receding \
a storm cloud builds on the horizon \
Are you [running][] toward the rain or away from it \
Do you stand still and crouch hoping for silence

[formal]: 19-onformalpoetry.html
[running]: 35-squirrel.html