EXPERIMENT

DEVON BALWIT

The monkey  has taken the baby,  borrowed its 
mother’s dress.   How sweetly it rocks  what  it 
hasn’t eaten,   what remains of love.   Both are 
pinked  with  pleasure  as  the  larger   croons, 
pouring its heart into its dear ribbed bowl. My 
littlest  love,   my  darling.   Join  me  in  canopy, 
together  to  clamor,  together  to  groom.   After 
a    time,    baby’s   silence   disheartens.   The 
monkey disrobes and swaddles its stillness. It 
curls  baby  back  into  cradle.  Once again fur 
only, it hoots and bares teeth, lifting a parting 
arm, hieratic.

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