WATCH THE MONKEY DANCE

To many people chose to be a monkey. The actors change but the story stays the same.

 

If the monkeys don’t dance then the monkeys don't eat 

They dance to the rhythm of the organ grinders beat 
They patter and prance to the hellish belting sounds 
Always seemingly oblivious to everything around 

Oh, these sad little monkeys have no personal pride 
They just dance and dance; hoping to survive 
Oblivious people throw them money and walk on by 
All of them ignoring the hurt in the monkey's eyes 

The demonic grinder plays the same tune every day 
It holds tight to the line so the monkeys can't slip away 
Endlessly it plays the same old dreadful songs 
Until one day the trapped monkeys just can't dance along 
Then the evil grinder throws the used old monkeys away

It ensnares new souls to dance along as it plays 
Time after time the scenario is always the same 
Damned silly monkeys dancing away their brains 

Don't be the monkey; don't dance until your through 
Don't ever let that evil grinder tie a string onto you 
Create your own music from the beat of your heart 
Don't be a lost monkey that is dead from the start 
The organ-grinder is there, waiting to scoop you up 
It will tie on a line and give you a servant's cup 
It will take away dignity and never allow you any pride 
You will dance away your life to the music it provides 

© 2013 Eddie K. Phillips

Author's Note

Addiction, people, relationships, etc. What ensnares us can break us. Be your own person and dance to your own beat.

Reviews

[Seeker]

Strange and total coincidence. I just posted a poem called "Sheep Talk" that carries a somewhat contrasting message to yours; Saw yours after posting mine. Hope you find time to read it. I know yours is 3 years old. Still rings true though. Fantastic write with an awesome rhythm and a profound message.

[Eddie Phillips]

I thank you for reading the poem and getting its meaning. I will take a look at your poem soon.

[Frieda P]

Great rhythm and rhyme to this one Eddie, and the metaphors have a beat of their own too...addiction can certainly be that monkey on one's back, good thing I'm addicted to poetry and there is no cure. Nice job!

[Joyce S. Greene]

A great poem, Eddie. Most of us have to dance to someone else's tune and it's a shame. But one must eat so one must dance. Loved this one!

[Rita L. Sev]

Don't ever let someone tie a string onto you...

Great rhythm to this, a vivid read with a clear and apt message. I could hear this one being set to music, Eddie.

[poetdoug]

I love the way you draw us in with your humor, and then bring down the house with your dramatic ending and climax. Great write my friend.

[Baby Ricochet]

Good metaphors Eddie. Great job

[Rosaria_V]

this was deep! Wow, truly well written

[Holly Mason]

dancing to my own beat as I read your words
swimmingly, flowingly, your message so was heard
thank you young man for writing it so well

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you for reading and connecting with this poem.