Sad Ornamental Bookends

Again, it should be self-explanatory

~

Beware, all creatures down below,
An elephant is dying, very slow.

See, it has finally come to rest.
See, where it has taken its last step?

It's come at last, a favorite spot,
Where the parching sun can reach it not.

Where it may recall fond memories,
Of earth and sky, and trees with leaves.

It sways back and forth, its skin hangs down.
It's long trunk, unpacked upon the ground.

The shade of this tree must be the best,
Where it's time is now, where it can rest.

It stands and sways as it remembers,
Tender shoots, and rains of November.

It sways here, upon this dusty ground,
Casting its shadow, making no sound.

It's family gathers round it now.
Touching gently, pillared leg or brow.

A leg buckles, it begins to kneel...
No silver church bells are heard to peal.

Where it has taken its final step,
They gather round now, to see it rest.

Beware, all creatures down below.
An elephant is dying, very slow.


~

Reviews

[m.s.early]

Maybe our author is being humble in the poem's description. Maybe it is to be read as literal as an archaeological finding. But certainly poignant poetry deserves a bit of curiosity in the reader's imagination and incessant if not obsessive need to peer into the author's pen and suppose what the inspiration was.

Here we find the elephant, the greatest of land mammals, known for its impressive memory because it returns to its birthplace to pass on. He has found his eternal place of rest. It's family has gathered to see him gone, to share the intimate departure. This is no formally recorded documentary of a biological event, but rather a tugging at our heart strings by humanizing the characteristics and enticing us to revere the character. We see compassion in gatherers. We find ourselves morning the loss of our beloved friend, the elephant.

And if one point is self-evident in this poem... certainly tis no safe place, the shade of a toppling elephant. And how cleverly the verses are propped up by the symmetrical first and last lines. I wonder if ornamental bookends were the inspiration for this piece or perhaps, the infrastructure for the work of the pen.

[Tam Warink]

Oh, now here's a thinking reader. Deliciously read, considered and commented upon. There is no higher praise (good or bad) than a fair reading and I thank you, very much, Xavier.

[Pryde Foltz]

Why am I just seeing this now? What a wonderful poem of solace. The mighty elephant finds its rest after a life lived with love, as noted by his mourners, and still gives. Lovely wry touch at the end. What is life if not a big old and dear pachyderm.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you, Pryde. I think elephants can be very thoughtful creatures. You should try mind-melding with one sometime. :) As for why... who knows. I'm sure your life is full. But, to paraphrase a well known verse, "The forest is lovely, dark and deep and such as this will always keep." Thank you for reading. ^_^

[Pryde Foltz]

Very nice, Tam.

[Frieda P]

So sad, elephants are majestic. Did you realize elephants cry, they'd shed a tear or two here. I'm not sure it's self explanatory, maybe in the brilliant eye of your mind, I'm still waiting for my sushi!

100 elephant tears

[Tam Warink]

Thank you, Frieda! I did not know that elephants cry, Frieda. That's pretty amazing. Or are you just scamming me? O_o OMG, now you've done it. I'm fixing sushi for lunch today. If you provide galactic standard coordinates I'll try beaming you a plate. How do you like your tea & saki? Hot and warm?

[Frieda P]

They most certainly produce tears, if they shed them the same way we do, I have no clue...would I scam ya hon? You must have me confuzzeled for you. I'll take it anyway I can get it, beam me up scotty. ;-}

[Sue Hart]

Visual perfection. The tone sincere. It pleased me to read it and be part of it. I wasn't taken by symbolism, but of the moment. Perhaps not as you intended it, but writing speaks to us in different ways when it comes to poetry. At least this is what I'm enjoying about it.

If this was speaking of the republican party, I'll puke.

[Tam Warink]

Ha ha! No puking, please. It's whatever you want it to be. You're the reader, right? Thanks for your comments and for reading Sue. That is greatly appreciated! :)

[Sue Hart]

I'm glad you introduced yourself so I had the chance to see your art. Thank you.

[Meraki]

Brilliant. It's beautiful and somewhat sad. Dying quietly surrounded by family. They mourn quietly and keep the elephant in their memories. Appreciating the simplicity of things we tend to make much more complicated than necessary. Thank you for sharing this.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you for reading, Meraki! I sincerely appreciate your thoughts on this piece. It reflects well upon you.

[David Scott]

I find the poem stimulating. I must beg to differ as to the poem being "self-explanatory".
Unless you mean the write can only be explained by one's self?

The Elephant symbolizes dignity and honor, power, royalty and pride. This regal beast can symbolize memories as well. The poem could be directing the mind to the loss of these characteristics in any modern culture we find flourishing today. I use "flourishing" as in cancer metastasizing btw.

The poem could be talking about the Republican party in the USA... Really, it is about time to stick a fork in this poor animal.

Yet, you may simply be asking us to look at the circle of life. Even the greatest beast in the jungle must kneel and will soon bee molecular fodder for next generation...

All of these interpretations are worthy of deliberation and then maybe some other thoughts as well.

100 fanning palm fronds

[Tam Warink]

And so the neoclassical revivalist school of review was reborn once again. You are an excellent reader, David. Austin Powers' mojo has nothing on yours. ;-)

[David Scott]

Groovy!!!!

[SAYED THANGAL]

the all round circling of real life can be seen in the poem, a journey from one point to another,
sayed

[Tam Warink]

Thank you for reading and your thought, Sayed. Yes, your interpretation is well-founded based upon the words that were used. As you point out in your bio, each reader should bring their own mystic thoughts to bear upon a poem. There are meanings in poems that even the authors cannot dream of. Again, thank you for reading and nice to meet you.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

after much travel in life we come to rest...we hope we have achieved what we can and that at least some will miss us and pay some sort of tribute to the lives we gave...and lived...

[Tam Warink]

Yes, Jacob. Those are the books and such is the end. Thank you for your thoughts and for reading.