Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Koko the Gorilla

Koko the Gorilla

“Darn darn floor bad bite; trouble trouble”

Is it a sign of things to come,
or has the time come for me to sign?

I stopped grunting long enough
to hear the door close.

What was it you said to me
on your way out?

You spoke to me in English,
French and Spanish at least that’s what
it looked like when I read your lips.

I was mute for far too long
and you only ever learned one sign.

I guess I’ll just have to ride
out this little quake alone
and hope my vocabulary
improves over time.

SMG

(For more info on Koko go here)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like it. It's non-linear but visual and it works, images flashing one after another.

Maureen said...

You've managed an interesting layering of meanings in this. Like it.

Steve Isaak said...

Interesting, fresh work. Solid.

Desert Rose said...

interesting piece steve! you got through very powerfully..impressive one shot! :)

Brian Miller said...

what we've got here is a failure to communicate...smiles. not you of course..interesting one shot!

Khakjaan Wessington said...

Hilarious dude.

Glynn said...

Good one, sir. I thinkI was in the cage with that gorilla.

Claudia said...

this was really cool steven - could be my name is koko from time to time...smiles
and even if two people speak the same language, how hard can it be to understand each other...

Shashidhar Sharma said...

Its beautiful.. and the imagery with lack of vocabulary and being mute to thoughts... was great..

ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com

Christopher Reilley said...

This is a glimpse of life from Koko's perspective, and it shadow's my own, oddly enough. Cool, Marty.

Anonymous said...

I agree with desert yet again. This is an interesting piece. Nice One Shot. Love and Light, Sender

Chris G. said...

Hmm, Gorilla poem. Interesting--certainly different. Entertaining, with a nice perspective.

PattiKen said...

Love this! M first online screen name years ago was Koko (for Kokopelli). I used to get letters from school children who were writing to Koko the gorilla. They were priceless. I wish I'd thought to save them.

Shell said...

Everyone knows, it's all in the eyes ;)

I enjoy the way you express an internal struggle... relatable.

~Shell
@shellartistree

dustus said...

Think it's time for Koko to sign. Would like to read your book. Cheers, SMG

Beachanny said...

Koko is wonderful. She truly proves what I've always known that there is so much more sentient life than just humans. I cried when I was told as a child that only humans went to heaven. I said, "what kind of heaven would it be with no animals?" Now I know, animals will likely get there before we do. Hope I make it to see you there. Thanks, Gay @beachanny

Mona said...

I would love to hear a gorilla speak! ;)

Marshy said...

loved the message...and loved the take...thanks for sharing..(yes still reading...)