Aoife Toner: Gorilla

He’s built like a ten-storey building

Eyes like two glowing full moons

Muscles like a seven-foot bodybuilder

Pupils like lumps of coal from Santa’s naughty list.


He lumps along like man and load,

Swings through the trees like Tarzan himself,

Or glides through the jungle like a jet-ski on waves

Gobbling up everything in his way.


He lives in the jungle with trees so high,

Rivers flowing fast to cool him down.

Treetop platforms make for great naps,

Sun blazing warm all day,


Until it sets at dusk

And he begins to snooze,

Snoring like a grandad in a deep sleep.