DARWIN'S DREAM
(Koko)

Is this a cyberfriend, who just might be,
Someone, who sends interesting E-mail to me?

Requesting more poetry, about animals and food,
Always polite and helpful....never angry or rude!

I've asked questions, but the answers are strange!
Sometimes, I think that she must be deranged!

She sent me her picture and what a surprise!!
I couldn't believe, what I saw with my eyes!

I thought she'd be dainty, with curly hair...cute!
I didn't expect this! This doesn't quite suit!

No wonder her answers were so out of reach!
She uses sign language...has an interpreter to teach!

But, now that I've looked, into her bright, brown eyes,
I can see intelligence, under this gorilla disguise!

She's gentle with kittens....is so very caring,
Willing to chat with people and enjoys sharing!

So, if she'll continue cyberfriendship...yours and mine,
It will be interesting,

IF SHE CAN JUST FIND THE TIME!

Pauline Banning
W4-1260-98-D11

As many as 8,000 people logged on America Online,
to chat with Koko, a 26 year old gorilla, who uses
sign language and has a 500 word vocabulary.
During this time, she answered a few questions, as
she played with her toy alligator. She has pet cats and
her favourite drink is "apple juice". One person stated,
that she thought animals were far more intelligent,
than we realize, but anyone who has a pet has
known this for quite some time. My poem is fiction,
except for the information about Koko in the News.I wonder
what Koko would say, if someone asked her, "Would you
rather be free and living with other gorillas?"