Owen took this photo.
forest man
sun turns thick tufts of fur to flame
stretched arms casually clasp
tree limbs slowly bending to forest floor
a long face looks down
at the baldish ape-men
with a modicum of curiosity
munches a leaf a nut a fruit
holds a trunk with feet-hands
tosses his arms this way and that
jointless as a Muppet
gentle orange man
forgive us for what we unthinkingly do
greedily eating blue packets of greasy Oreos
that probably burned your cousins in their nests
like all the endangered ones
you’re sentenced despite your innocence
you never asked for trouble
just a leaf umbrella from the rain
Mom says:
Let’s hope enough can be done to provide leaf umbrellas long enough for your grandchildren to make a similar ramble.