Once I saw, father was drawing a cave of the Altamira.
Still, there is so much light in this darkness!
He said.
I saw a bison was emerging with the drawing-line
And more to follow
In an unknown cave in northern Spain,
I could see the wonder of a constellation.
You never went to the Altamira caves.
But now you can see
He Pulled my hands and painted red And pressed on the wall of the cave.
My hand-prints were
Like countless primitive humans
As if hematite started flowing within mine
An indomitable wild smell around
Wild animals roamed freely but in herds.
In the forest and on the wet ground
In reality, I was alone and victimized
If ever by landslides
The cave path was closed
Yet here everyone was allied
Humans and wildlife, humans and others!
Then suddenly I saw
A divine triangular light had fallen on his eyes
I thought that father was Jesus Himself
The church bells started ringing like a dream.
Taking the proffered ancient torch in hand
In Altamira, Santander and Lascaux
I am the fire, the flickering, burning brand
That leads the artists' hungering below.
Where forms of deer and bison billow in the dark
Etched in charcoal and berry-juice on the wall
The hunter like the artist pursues the mark
I rekindle to light this stone age carnival.
The dance of life cavorts to escape the savage crimson dart
Neighing snorting figures heart beating in the clay
For survival, skill and conquest, that is the caveman's art
And I the flame they carry within lighting the way.
Henceforth I become beacon of humanity,
Shining through memory and imagination
The light of liberty.
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