217

LA VITA NORTEAMERICANA

In the middle of life's path I found myself
Confronted by a gorilla, a dachshund, and
A ball of gold. With my thirty-eight I fired
Five rounds into the ball, which absorbed
Them as it spun upon the ground. The gorilla
Ran screaming from the trail, but the dachshund
Sat where it was and looked, first at me,
Then at the ball.