On First Looking Into Derek Walcott’s ‘Omeros’

When Walcott’s trees saw axes in men’s eyes
it stopped my breath, what else was left to say
about there being no way to disguise
a predator’s intentions from its prey?

I look in soldiers’ eyes and sometimes see
a peaceful man who hopes he’ll never fight
but eyes of rich men often seem to be
nuclear-armed and capable of spite.

Cats recognise the aura of a friend,
dogs quickly learn that someone means no harm,
nevertheless some creatures can pretend,
soothing their quarry to prevent alarm.

Prayer was invented to ward off such threat.
Whistle in darkness lest the Lord forget.