there will be days when knack
ain’t gonna cut it buddy –
this inner gift some say you had
since you were just a little zygote…
yeah, i heard you’re a natural
roll up your sleeves really slick
always quick with a magic trick
that yeah, about ninety percent of the time
was just the miracle we’re looking for

but see, i see through that
cos you know i’m kinda jealous
cos the whole knack thing eluded me
and i had to work at it and learn
and no matter how good i get they say
i’ll never be as good as you
cos you’ve got the knack –
talent and skill transcending
anything i could be taught

could never beat the truly gifted
though maybe true, i ain’t buyin’
i honestly believe there will be days
when knack ain’t gonna cut it –
that digging in and getting your hands dirty
by being and doing, mistaking and learning
will get you things a knack would not
and miracle man, today is ten percent day
so step aside and let me get the job done

it will be ok — you get to keep your knack
and pull some rabbits out of hats
they’ll still love you just the same
but me? i’ve been working for that moment
for that ten percent day when being good
is better than being a natural
when talk just isn’t matching walk –
when everything you couldn’t grok
is done by someone who doesn’t have the knack.

I was taking a break, sitting under a tree
when a chimpanzee chucked a banana at me.
I told him to stop but he laughed in my face
in a statement against an evolved human race.

I valued my peace so I trotted away
to sit by some lizards enjoying the day.
They hissed and they growled and their point was made –
“scram, higher mammal, we don’t want your shade.”

From large spiny things to creatures with wings,
some stomp on the ground and some swim around,
you’re looking at them while they’re looking at you –
It’s what you expect when you work in a zoo.

I brought the wrong food and admitted my fault
but the parrot kept on with his verbal assault.
He swore and he cursed and I heard every word
so when I walked away, I flipped him the bird.

Cleaning a fish tank was not a big deal
’til piranhas mistook my hand for a meal
and somewhere a turtle had muttered aloud
“Man, you’re an idiot. You’ll make Darwin proud.”

From large spiny things to creatures with wings,
some stomp on the ground and some swim around,
you’re looking at them while they’re looking at you –
It’s what you expect when you work in a zoo.

When I first saw a croc, I trembled in fear
for I hadn’t been working the gig for a year
then I got to know him and he isn’t so bad –
just unresolved issues between he and his dad.

Most of the animals dislike being here
so we try to discuss it over a beer.
They get loud and obnoxious; they scream and curse,
but we all agree that the patrons are worse.

From large spiny things to creatures with wings,
some stomp on the ground and some swim around,
you’re looking at them while they’re looking at you –
It’s what you expect when you work in a zoo.

On occasion, I would run into someone
who inevitably introduces himself
as so and so from Marketing
which triggers a lingering curiosity within
to wonder and ponder the following question:
“Can you dodge bullets from point blank?”

A valid question, I might add, as those in the profession
have invoked the supernatural by selling their own soul
and having been deceived, deceive in turn
as if to gain it back, or purchase it from Hades
with the money made from molding truth into agendas –
Can you dodge bullets from point blank?

Those who can turn our cranial masses into slogan sockets,
spin their flaws into opportunity,
convince and lead a legion against brand X –
that much power borderlines sorcery
and in this magic realm you built from lies
Can you dodge bullets from point blank?

As we stand here, you are scanning
at what seems to be an easy mark
but within my soul is screaming,
shouting warning after warning
that your hand is on your dagger…
Can you dodge bullets from point blank?

My politeness keeps the question silent,
keeps the inquisitive mind inquiring,
keeps the secret question burning –
sets the trigger finger firing,
answer found, as soulless body dying, to the question
“Can you dodge bullets from point blank?”