This Is a _____ Laughing at Me: a Children's Poem

This is a monkey laughing at me

and my silly human apparatus

that takes this picture.

All that stuff in the back of Jay's car,

and that was us living frugally!

"How ridiculous", he thought,

"that humans need so many things

to feel comfortable,

to stay alive.

All I need is these trees and my brothers

and the occasional bite to eat."

He hops away - and I am left with this picture

of a little monkey

more enlightened than me.

This is a crocodile laughing at me

and my silly human apparatus

that takes this picture.

All those people up on the bridge, watching

like he was an exhibit in a zoo!

"How hilarious", he thought,

"that bridge is the only thing keeping me from you,

to feel comfortable

to stay alive.

All I would need is to get you down here with me

and I would really give the others a show."

He swims away - and I am left with this picture

of a Costa Rican crocodile

more powerful than me.

This is a forest laughing at me

and my silly human apparatus

that takes this picture.

The jungle, so large and encompassing

while I am so small!

"How comical", it thinks,

"that your problems and chores stress you out

while mine don't even stress me.

And I carry the weight of all my children -

all the wildlife you see -

on my shoulders."

We head out, and I am left with this picture

of a collection of trees

wiser than me.

This is a Finley laughing at me

and my silly human apparatus

that takes this picture.

While I am down on the ground

He is up in a tree!

"How sad", he thought

"That you are not as tall as me,

standing so high

so high in this tree.

Look at me! Kicking out one leg!

Your balance worse than mine, and you have two feet on the ground."

He climbs away - and I am left with this picture

of my American cousin

faster than me.

photography and writing by Lila Hudgins