Rita the Orangutan Kidnaps A Small Boy

[BobBradshaw]

Rita the Orangutan Kidnaps A Small Boy


Charley, a small boy, was pinned
against the orangutan's chest, his legs dangling.

"This is what happens when you live
in isolation," someone said

as a zookeeper placed a fruit bucket
of bananas just beyond Rita's reach.

Inexplicably Charley smiled,
warming to Rita's embrace.

Again the keeper approached
but Rita clutched the boy tighter,

her eyes wary, her muscular arm
clutching her new family.

Three hours of durians and mangoes
failed as bribes. Suddenly

for reasons known only to Rita
she simply let go of the boy.

Quickly the keeper grabbed Charley
and ran from the cage,

the crowd watching applauding.
Her back to us, Rita brooded

in a corner. How could she
keep from going crazy in a world

clueless of her loneliness,
and so callow to think fruit buckets

could ever be a fair exchange
for a family and someone

to hold onto?