Monkey

This one stands on its own.

I used to think

If I found

The one right spot.

It would have me.

I would have it.

The world

Does not provide things

In ones.

To be sure

That is how we focus:

One thing at a time

Still

Everything comes

With tag-alongs

Hangers-on.

There is no such purity

Anywhere

Look behind anyone,

Look in front

Of anyone,

There is some version

Of a singing monkey

With a rakish purple hat,

Crashing cymbals.

Sure

We can pretend the monkey

Isn’t there

If we plug our ears

Cover our eyes

But then we’ll miss

The elephant

Leading the parade.