My Neighbors Bought a Rhinoceros


My neighbors bought a rhinoceros.
My mom thinks it's preposterous.
My dad thinks it's funny, though.
It's in the yard across from us.
They plan to make it prosperous
by selling tickets to a show.

They think that folks will want to pay
to come and watch him sit all day 
and watch him eat his gruel.
They got a leash so he would stay
upon their lawn and would not stray;
my sister thinks that's cruel.

Rhino


They plan to teach him many tricks
like catching and retrieving sticks 
or sitting up to beg.
I'd like to pet him just for kicks,
but run for cover really quick 
if rhino lifts his leg.

I sense that they will have a lot
of problems getting the rhino they got
to do what they want him to.
I'm sure he will reject the plot
to make him be what he is not;
I would, wouldn't you?

Scott Cody, 1998

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