When 12 Harvard researchers
work tirelessly for years,
gorillas say
“Tickle, tickle, giggle, me, man,”
that is not a sentence,
no matter how much sense you speak,
they see the sign, but not the string.
If he could say
“Dear researcher
when you started to tickle me last year
my depression ended,”
this would be success
of sorts.

…..

When they read
independently
I pace looking
like I might kill
if someone speaks
(and smile encouragingly).

James flags me down,
follows the no talking signs
covers up half of the chapter one title
so it reads: “Good day,”
then he slides his hand left
so now it says “Bad day,”
inquires with his eyes
which one I might be having.

I smile
point at “Good,”
and walk away.

This is only depressing 20 minutes later,
when he’s on the same page
asking the same question.

It slowly gets louder
I gently bang my head
against the board
three times.

“Shut-up you’re gonna make her cry,”
someone shouts.

“Don’t cry, you’re letting them get to you,” Kaila says.

“Come on, shut the fuck up, she’s banging her head on the board.”

“She’s always doing that,” Shyisha says.

….

Watch how
bees can
only discus
honey.

Try having umpires
discuss Kierkegaurd
in baseball signs.