Being amazed helps when hunting story.

On All Fours

When walking home from school

I ask my quiet son—five—why

Monkeys have two arms, though

Horses have none, but four legs

A long time passes. I am insecure

Why can’t I be the kind of dad who

Raises conversation, raises a child

And not stupid monkey questions?

Then Ben—did I say five?—says

“Monkeys need arms to climb and eat

And horses bend their necks to eat

But need four legs for running fast.”

There, in the distance, five, strong, alert

Speaking with the tongue of men and angels

In his habitat, climbing high with monkeys

Running across his life on all fours