At the Zoo (1984)

The sign says American bison (buffalo)—
The great-great-grandbull of Plains thunderers
Stands deep in muck, looking narcotized,
Chewing his cud and rubbing his shaggy fur
Against the thin wire links of his prison—

The sign says wooly monkeys—
They stretch their skinny arms
Out between the bars—
Though born the overlords of the highest trees,
They look more like old Black men begging,
Prostituting themselves for popcorn—

The sign says polar bear—
These days the great bear eats stale bread—
A man trying to impress his girlfriend
Acts as if he's going to toss some bread, but doesn't—
The man keeps faking the toss—
The bear rises up on his haunches like a fat white mongrel—
The man finally throws his morsel
And the bear catches it in his teeth expertly.

A tall stone wall stands between the bear
And the dignity of catching
The crumbman's fragile skull
In his gigantic jaws expertly.