by Denise Calaman

Created on: May 12, 2008

The Elephants

Across the grasslands they move so slow
Gentle giants, strong enough to kill with just one blow

Yet compassionate enough to cry
As one of their fallen is about to die

Shot illegally for an ivory prize
The pain shows in his big eyes

The elephants gather to mourn their loss
The leader of their pack dead among the grass and moss

Days later they restart their journey across the plains
Through the blinding sunshine and the torrential rains

A widow, a baby, a mother, all left alone
For only a treasure of white bone

Months and months go by
When, all of a sudden the widow cries

The elephants have traveled back
To the scene of the savage attack

Before them lie their leader's bones
Among the dirt and insects, all alone

With their massive trunks, the bones they feel
Hoping this will help them heal

For a superficial prize one of God's endangered creatures was lost
For the man who killed him there appeared to be no cost'

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