1.

It is a cool and clear, mid-February day,
President’s day at the L.A.Zoo.
Every family with a two-year-old is here.

Strollers with the latest gear,
babies and grandparents in tow.

Banners aflutter, popcorn in the air.
Here to see the tigers and the bears,
Chimpanzees hanging from trees,
Basking Tasmanian Devils,

Gorillas, Elephants, Giraffes are all out
to watch the two-year-olds prance
and shout. Quite the show today
just before mealtime.

Ida sits astride her Daddy’s shoulders
towering over the scene —

top floor of the pagoda. With a three sixty view,
head in the clouds, she surveys the four kingdoms
and daydreams the meanings of what she sees.

 
2.

Pink flamingos, like Vegas showgirls,
nonchalantly strutting as they do —

Proud of their bodies and extravagant outfits
confident they are one of the more elegant
creatures ever conceived.

one stretched out its wings exposing the velvet black
underside of its orange-pink petticoat.

The pastel poses were pure Degas,
girls in peony tutus, doing plies at the barre.

 
3.

The big ape with the bow-legged gait
climbed to the very top of the rock to sun bathe.
His arm was as big as his leg, leathery and gray,
posed very much like the thinker pondering his fate.

Is there a doubt we are related?
Do you suppose
he was wondering that too?

 
4.

The cassowary occupied its spot
in the brightest corner of its pen.
Sunning with a regal air,
“Queen Victoria”, I thought.

She sits atop gnarled knuckles.
Her two three-toed prehistoric feet
tucked under her coat.

A golden crown, an elegant neck
bedecked in peacock blue,
red waddles streaming from a piercing stare.

the slits of her reptilian eyes are a-glitter
ever the glaring empress dowager.

 
5.

As we were leaving
waving our goodbyes to our new friends
the crocodile with its pointy snout
flashed us a toothy smile.

It was a good day at the zoo,
Just past the mid-day meal,
everyone fed and ready to snooze.

My grand daughters and I were pooped.
We slept, Mom and Dad drove home.