Terra Incognita

I know well of a cat's ear, eye, nose, teeth, coat, paws and claws, Do I know, what's behind its look and mysterious pause? I know a dog's acute sense of smell; muscles and fingers, Do I know what's going-on when he quietly lingers? I see my neighbor-child stand exuberantly leaping, I stand in awe, when, within seconds, I see him weeping...! Fair or black or tanned skins - with smiles show human externals, Soft or hard or kind or cruel - who, knows, their internals? Streams and lakes seem silent and gentle, surface still and calm, Within, hurling currents and whirlpools, don't they, sometimes, harm...? Seas and oceans have treasures abundant; who, knows, how much? Midst greed to collect these, who has dared their bottom to touch...? Stars are matters of joy; we count them; do we know the whole? Puzzles of constellations and galaxies touch each one's soul...! Is rhythm of universe and cosmos, fully explored? In their elegant contours what a mystical concord...? Faith and theologies talk of God, who is he or she? Hill or vale or human form - how he or she looks to be...? Death I know; grave and coffin too; there from where will I go? Does sun glow there? Breeze blows? Snow falls? Rains with squall? What I know...??? 18 August 2022 This or That, Vol 13 Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh