Bongwi's Theology

The theology of Bongwi, the baboon by Roy Campbell

This is the wisdom of the ape

Who yelps beneath the moon —

'Tis God who made me in his shape;

He is a great baboon.

'Tis he who tilts the moon askew

And fans the forest trees:

The Heavens, which are broad and blue,

Provide him his trapeze.

He swings with tail divinely bent

Around those azure bars,

And munches, to his soul's content.

The kernels of the stars.

And when I die, his loving care

Shall raise me from the sod,

To learn the perfect Mischief there.

The Nimbleness of God!

Ignatius Royston Dunnachie Campbell, better known as Roy Campbell (2 October 1901 – 23 April 1957), was a South African poet, literary translator, war poet, and satirist.

This poem was published in 1920; always relevant!