Sweet TnT Magazine Trinidad and Tobago Culture
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Marc Algernon presents a humorous and relatable first-person narrative poem detailing a family excursion to the Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad and Tobago. The poem explores the whimsical persistence of a child’s desire for an exotic pet and the pragmatic, often comedic responses of a parent navigating such requests.
By documenting the specific sights and emotional shifts during the visit, the author captures a universal parenting moment set within a distinct Caribbean cultural context.
This piece provides insight into family dynamics and the innocent imagination of childhood, making it a valuable addition to the literature of local personal experiences. It serves as both a light-hearted creative work and a reflection on the joys and trials of fatherhood.
Key Takeaways
- The narrative illustrates the boundless and often impractical imagination inherent in childhood desires.
- Parental responses highlight the practical challenges and financial considerations of animal husbandry.
- The Emperor Valley Zoo serves as a significant cultural backdrop for family bonding in Trinidad.
- Marc Algernon uses rhythmic verse to convey the emotional transition from excitement to playful satisfaction.
Daddy, I Want a Giraffe: Navigating childhood desires at Emperor Valley Zoo
By Marc Algernon. “Darling I cannot afford, please do the math, it’s too expensive to buy a giraffe.”
I went to the zoo and tried not to laugh, when she said, “Daddy, I want a giraffe.”
In her bright yellow boots and her hat and her scarf,
she begged, “Daddy, can I get a giraffe.”
She skipped and she laughed, down the concrete path,
“Daddy, I want a giraffe.”
“Darling I cannot afford, please do the math,
it’s too expensive to buy a giraffe.”
“He would need to be fed, and given a bath,
I would not know where to start, if we had a giraffe”.
Her eyes went red, her lips curled with wrath,
she screamed, “DADDY, I WANT A GIRAFFE!”
As we opened our front door, she squealed with a laugh,
“Mommy look! Daddy bought a giraffe.”
February 2014 – Issue 8 www.sweettntmagazine.com
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