At the zoo the monkeys fascinate me, those caged creatures

Swinging on ropes and picking through

The woodchip carpeted ground for sweet ants to snack on.

On the right is a big field trip of children, whispering and giggling

To my left is Samuel, who is also enjoying the presence of the primates.

I ask the crowd huddled around the glass,

"What do you think they feed these crazy bastards?"

Samuel is the first one to reply, loudly, and with no hesitation in his voice

His fingers stroking his chin thoughtfully,

Brow furrowed in the wisdom of his experiences.

"Mostly they eat poo, mostly,"

He says.

The kids look at Samuel with a mixed expression of

Incredulity and awe,

That a grown-up someone would say the word "poo,"

In public.