Creation of the Crocodile

To give her rivers company
God took a shapeless entity,
squished and squeezed repeatedly,
then opened up her hand to see
her clayful creativity. 

You and I, undoubtedly,
with limited ability
to appreciate aesthetically
a crocodile's long-gevity,
would have preferred more brevity

and snipped off tail or head. Instead,
the Creator said, delightedly,
How like a log I made you be.
You fit my rivers perfectly!
and laughed and laughed infectiously.

As the crocodile adoringly
joined in God's hilarity,
its soft clay mouth grew lengthily.
With infinite sensitivity
God stopped laughing immediately.

But when you are in the vicinity
of a crocodile, watch for awhile
and you'll see God smile.

- Sr. Irene Zimmerman, OSF

God spoke:  “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!
Birds, fly through the sky over earth!”
God created the huge whales,
all the swarm of life in the waters,
And every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:20-22, The Message

You started the springs and rivers,
sent them flowing among the hills.
The glory of God, let it last forever.
Let God enjoy his creation.

Psalm 104:10-12, 31, The Message

Published in WHERE GOD IS AT HOME, Poems of God’s Word and World, Illuminated by The Message. Used with permission by the author and ACTA Publications.

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