theres at least one mountain in china

where the monkeys are hostile.

its a holy moutain

youre supposed to climb it.

climbers through the centuries 

have fed the monkeys.

now the monkeys want food from everyone.

when the monkeys get in the way

you try to walk on.

but if you show fear

they dont stand down.



one climber told me on top

he used his walking stick

to threaten the monkey in the path

thinking it would scamper.

he raised the stick.

the monkey stood.

he shook the stick.

the monkey stared.

he swung the stick.

deftly the monkey 

reached up and caught it.



i love to believe that story

but i never did.

why not?