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.