It’s worth it to acquire a yearly pass
For visiting the San Diego Zoo
To press your nose against the pane of glass
That separates orangutans from you.

While those great apes are peaceful, dull they’re not,
Their personalities are singular,
And to the young ones certain skills are taught
And in new generations they recur.

For Satu learned his treetop acrobatics
From neighbor siamangs, and Karen taught
Him somersaulting, Clyde made automatic
Belief that under burlap’s the best spot.

Now Satu has two offpsring of his own-
One wonders what they’ll pass on when they’re grown.