MONKEYS

 

The happy monkeys in the trees

have nothing much to say.

They hang around just as they please

and eat, and groom, and play.

 

But when the tiger’s on the prowl

just hear the monkeys whoop!

They squeal and thump their chests and howl

to warn the monkey troupe.

 

And this evolved with humans too

that good news is no news,

but when the worst hoves into view

cacophony ensues.

 

Global warming, bird flu scares

obesity, inflation,

recession, gun crime, falling shares

house prices, immigration.

 

The tabloid paper’s headline screams

TV is disconcerted

but nine times out of ten it seems

disaster is averted.

 

We listen most to those who make

believe the sky will fall;

and those who howl for ratings’ sake

make monkeys of us all.