damn monkeys

at night,

when she lived across the street

from the zoo,

the lions

would wake me up,

if i wasn't awake

already

because of her ancient

radiator

thumping

and dripping, reluctant

in giving heat.

i can still hear

those lions, though,

years

later. their muffled

roars,

the growl of their

discontent,

and the monkeys too.

damn monkeys.