Reptilian lizard from days past,
gliding through murky waters,
you evoke fear with your primal visage.
The unchallenged King of the Swamp,
secure in your reign
by a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth
and your fearless nature.
Large males bellow their dominance,
the sound echoing off cypress trees
like a hail of bullets,
sending chills down the spine of visitors.
Proud mothers guard their nests,
ferocious massive matriarchs lying in wait
near their grass-covered nursery,
heaven help anyone who would come near.
Your thick, tough scaly hide,
once sought for purses and shoes
is now safe,
protected by federal laws.
So, you reproduce prodigiously,
bobbing like so many lethal lilly pads...
or lying submerged
a modern day monster,
lurking just beneath the swampy waters
hoping some silly human will come for a swim.
A is for Alligator. 
Rose S. Williams~©Southerstoryteller~2010
Take a close look at the 3rd photo...there were five alligators within my camera lens, and another really large one outside the range of this shot. All photos were made in the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen Foster State Park at Fargo, GA in 2008.
A+ as usual, Rose!
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