Peripheral

His father takes his picture
Beside the crocodile pool
At a wildlife attraction.

He is reading intently,
Apparently ignoring
The crocodiles for the book.

The crocodiles do bore him,
A little, since they’re dozing
Fat slugs in leather armor,

None of them thrashing about
At the moment, but that’s not
Why his nose is in a book.

It’s not that the wildlife park,
For all its touristy kitsch,
Isn’t interesting to him.

He’s not avoiding the world.
He’s fascinated by beasts
But also wants something more.