In the beginning the first human ape wore war paint
& invaded all other ape territories bringing to
them berserk gesticulations and confusions.

Later humans turned again to apes and baked salt
where war paint laid waste & there were scars &
fissions on the face of the earth.

Then the heavenly ape descended.
Humans worshipped it but it wandered
lost in exile & disappeared into the waters.

Humans lacked it but it was too late
for on their markings was war paint.

*After Augusto Monterroso.( Black Sheep)

Copyright Robin Ouzman Hislop
All rights reserved Blue Corn