Even Monkeys Fall

“Even monkeys fall from trees.” —Japanese Proverb

Even camels die of thirst.
Even cats lose their cool.
Even loyal dogs will bite
given the right bone.

Even peacemakers break and hate.
Even saints betray their vows.
And you and I may wander away
from the path of righteousness
for His name’s sake,

fight for justice, yet be unjust,
hold tight our New World given right
to the second house, the good life,
our membership in the lucky club,
also new carpeting would be nice.

While down at the corner
of Broadway and Swan
the raggedy man sells papers
from his windy island
in the river of cars.

How hard it is to be good in this world,
to cling to the tree of holy fruit.
Even monkeys fall.