The penguins make my words freeze.
The elephants stomp around in my stomach.
My palms are sweaty.
My head is light.
The lions roar in my ears.
The polar bears squeeze at my heart.
My eyes are forced open by the unblinking snakes,
Kept glossy with a sense of wonder by the fish.
The monkeys pick away at my sense of embarrassment.
The flamingos keep my knees from buckling.
I buy my courage at the gift shop.
My existence is ironically made known by the chameleons.
My sight is kept whole by the helpful hawk.
The hippos hide my internal fight.
The dragonfly rests on my shoulder.
When I see you I don’t get something as peaceful as butterflies,
I get the whole dang zoo.