Chimpanzee Poem by Denis Martindale

The chimpanzee was quite a sight,
When I first saw him there,
You see, he looked quite young despite
The wrinkles everywhere...
His bright eyes shone so full of life,
Beneath a frown or two,
Though this day showed no pain or strife,
No cause for feeling blue...

He held a twig, poked it around,
Then tossed it at his friend,
It bounced off him and hit the ground
Before he could defend...
He picked it up and tossed it back
And so their game went on,
Then suddenly, they both lost track,
The novelty had gone...

If only Man could follow suit
And walk away from war
And not let battles still pollute
This world from shore-to-shore...
If chimpanzees can call a truce,
Can nations, yes or no?
With each new war, each side must lose,
Till nations make wars GO!


Denis Martindale, copyright June 2016.


A poem based on a magnificent wildlife painting
by Stephen Gayford. Google search phrases
gayford prints and 'Stephen Gayford poetry'.