Crackerjacks

The squirrels spread out at Central Park Zoo
and tell the prisoners
that their jailers have suffered a huge blow.

The captive animals applaud,
monkeys squeal, jumping up and down.
Weldon’s elephant sends up a jet of water

like the fireboats of disaster.
“One small, bitter victory for us,
one backward step for our tormentors!” they decry.

When the commotion settles down,
the squirrels head back to dig for nuts.
The slaves have gotten a momentary pardon---

no natives and no stupid tourists to entertain.
The polar bears frolicked, smoked cigarettes,
and would not trade tomfoolery for the world.