At the Zoo

At the zoo, I try to be part of it. "God's creatures!" they say. Fine! I smile when a peacock blossoms into a feathery fan and her rear- end is exposed. I'm told not to feed wild animals. Dangerous! But they are lovely as well--- various sizes, temper and design. They look back at me with the same questioning gaze as if I'm the one who has locked them in the cages. Monkeys are noisy, bad- mannered, and know not to be thankful after you throw them nuts and feed. They turn around and moon at you and they howl when you take out camera. Those quiet creatures from the deep blue are my friends. They swim happily in their own art and content though they are removed far from their element. They express no complaint except enjoying every movement in the floating sound. God, if you are really there, if you are honest, tell them, please, how sorry you must feel to see them behind bars! ---LTG 2004