Eli Turns 13 - Lincoln Park Zoo Poem by Ima Ryma

Eli is a teenager who
Had a birthday, number 13
Here at home in Lincoln Park Zoo.
Eli's a chimp behind the scene,
Rescued last year from a hard life
Of exploitation and abuse,
Subjected to a lot of strife
For entertainment as excuse.
But now Eli enjoys life at
A place where with other chimps he
Is in a healthy habitat,
A much better future to be.

Eli, Happy 13th Birthday,
And happy that you came to stay.