Disc of the sun
fully obscured by the moon
by only a few moments
during which some laws of nature
do not seem to apply any longer
and animals go haywire:
giraffes beginning to gallop
as if in flight,
trying to get away from
whatever it is that is bringing forth
all of that darkness.
Flamingos gathering in a circle
around their babies for protection.
Can you hear them
whispering almost silent prayers?
Swarms of birds are suddenly leaving the sky
altogether to roost on trees.
It is no good flying if the aim
cannot be seen any longer.
Ancient Galapagos tortoises starting to mate.
If the end is near, at least they produced more offspring,
just in case.
