“For Bonobo” (reprise)

On By Mike U.In Poetry

“For Bonobo”
© 2016 by Michael L. Utley

I used to know a Bonobo
Who had a silly a grin
And every time I’d say “Hello”
He’d kick me in the shin

I’d feed him whey and kidney pie
It made his tummy sore
And when I’d tuck him into bed
He’d bite and scream and roar

He played guitar and learned to sing
A monkey tour de force
And afterwards could barely talk
His voice was much too hoarse

And then that fateful day arrived
When monkey ran away
To seek his fortune on the road
To be a man someday

The years have passed like faded leaves
That fall from solemn elms
I sit alone on evening porch
As sadness overwhelms

I watch the west as sun slips down
And stars alight the sky
Will Bonobo come home someday
To visit you and I?

Then hark! What’s that? A hirsute form
That gambols down the lane?
It’s Bonobo, my monkey friend
He’s coming home again!

He shares his tales of travels far
O’er whey and kidney pie
And plays guitar and sings his songs
With twinkles in his eye

And then it’s time to part again
My monkey friend and me
“I’ll come again another time,
I shall return, you’ll see!”

And so I’ll wait until that day
With happiness and glee
When Bonobo, my monkey friend
Comes back to visit me

(Author’s note: Before anyone objects, I do know bonobos are apes, not monkeys. However, for the sake of this piece, I threw caution (and facts) to the wind and used the term “monkey” instead. The term “monkey” just has a much more whimsical connotation than the term “ape.” So, some fact-bending and artistic license were employed. Also, this piece was written for a friend whose username was Bonobo, so changing the name would alter the purpose of the piece. Just a little background if anyone cares.)

35 thoughts on ““For Bonobo” (reprise)”

    2. I’d like to. It seems impossible nowadays in this current political climate. So much stress from every angle. It’s hard to smile, let alone laugh. I’d love to write more silly poems and stories, for sure. ☺️

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    1. Thanks, Cindy. This piece was written a decade ago when I was a moderator at a computer game website (which closed its doors in 2017). The other moderator went by the username Bonobo4 and his avatar image was a black and white monkey (capuchin or colobus). We had a poetry section on the forum and I posted this poem as a joke one day to see what he’d say. His response? “What did I just read?” 😄 It took all of ten minutes to write and I was laughing the entire time. ☺️

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  11. A delightful blend of humor and heart! 😊🫠
    Beneath Bonobo’s playful mischief lies a gentle reminder that the friends who make us laugh the most are often the ones we miss the most. A thoroughly enjoyable read, my friend. 👍

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Saima. I won’t lie–it’s very difficult to smile right now in these trying times with all the darkness here and abroad, but when I read this weird little poem, it makes me grin, and that’s got to count for something, right? I’m glad you enjoyed this poem, my friend. It brightened my day knowing this piece may have brightened yours. ☺️

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    1. Hey, Diana! Good to see you, friend! Thanks for the nice comment on this poem. I usually never write fluff pieces, but I was in a silly mood that day and I had fun with this one despite the monkey/ape dilemma. Maybe it’s my inner Dr. Seuss? Who knows?

      Hope you’ve been hanging in there. This current darkness is such a long slog and there’s no guarantee things will ever be normal again, but I hope we all make it out of this mess and attain some sense of normalcy and morality again. Not sure I’ll be around to see that happen, and that angers me in a profound way.

      Anyway, thank you for stopping by to say hello. I’ve missed you and your kindness. I hope your weekend is safe and peaceful. ☺️

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      1. The monkey/ape dilemma didn’t bother me, Mike, after all neither play guitar, right? Lol. And it was great to see you channeling your inner Seuss with this poem. 😀

        Yes, things are ugly here in this country. I don’t think it will go back to normal, but there is a chance that it will be better. It all depends on what happens in November and if the Dems can find some courage! I know that’s a tall order.

        I think of you often and hope you’re doing okay. You’re still here, so that’s good!!! I will be back, I hope, in the fall. I miss you and my other blogging friends. It was lovely today to visit with everyone. Huge hugs, my talented friend.

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  14. Hello dear friend, we got back two days ago and things have been so hectic. I am so glad that I went in and check to see if you had posted anything. This was so fun to read and the cadence was amazingly brilliant. As everyone else, it brought a smile to my face and put me in a happy place right away. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

    I agree with Diana, it will take a lot of courage and standing up to change the current climate. We have all but forbidden the use of our devices except for a couple of hours in the morning. It keeps us both calmer and we sit out on the porch and watch the deer, hummingbirds, wild turkeys and thank God for nature’s calming effects.

    This reminded me of some friends I had when I was no longer living with my parents – one who also played a guitar and piano and just hanging out. Good memories came flooding back of some of these days, so again, thank you dear friend. Love and hugs, from both of us.

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    1. Thanks so much, Joni. It’s just some silly poem I spent ten minutes writing a long time ago, but hey, it’s about a monkey (or rather an ape) and the importance of friendship (and whey and kidney pie)! My friend was British, hence the weird food references, and he was learning to play guitar, but I assure you, he was human in most regards. 😄

      Glad this one made you grin, my friend.

      I figured you and Scott had been away for a while. Good to see you back, and good to know you’re enjoying nature from your front porch. 🐦🦌🦃🦖

      Wishing you and Scott a safe and peaceful week ahead. ☺️

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  15. Yes, it did and he sounded like a special friend. Like I said it was such a blessing to have a few special memories come back as a result of this extremely sing song cadence piece. I loved it. Yes, we have been gone a while and travel is not easy on me these days – our little smart car feels every bump in the road – it is hard on my neck. Sending this to you in appreciation and with love from the both of us.

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