because their patients cannot tell them
what’s wrong they say veterinarians
are the noblest doctors they say
that when he died St. Augustine
was the only person in the town
who owned any books they say Freud said
mental health is the capacity to love
and to work they say a chimpanzee
named Washoe learned sign language in the 60s
they say Augustine went to visit the Bishop of Milan
and the bishop would read without speaking
the words out loud they say he sensed the meaning
with his heart but that his tongue was still they
say this was the invention of reading silently
they say one of Washoe’s caretakers was pregnant
and missed work for several weeks after miscarrying
Washoe greeted her coldly when she finally came back
the caretaker told Washoe what happened
and signed MY BABY DIED
Washoe looked down and touched the corner
of her own eye and drew her finger down
her cheek they say chimpanzees can’t
shed tears but can recognize the path they take