Elephant

I am not an elephant

As one can plainly see

No noble beast

Of far distant lands

That roams happily free

Or toils for us

In circuses and burdens

 

I am not an elephant

Not in any shape or form

But a slender slice

Of that noted thing

The puissant memory

In the slightest way

Is mine indeed

 

Oh so goodly blessed

Put to use

In minor ways

As is my way

To make greater gifts

Seem a smaller be

 

Aye indeed

I am not an elephant

Just a man

Of certain skills

Surely of more import

Than a mere animal

Only I think a moment

And my eyes

In the mirror looked

Do question so

That human belief

 

I am not an elephant

no noble beast

Just a modern scribe

Placing words

Upon the page

And hoping

You will think

Of greater things

Than you yourself

Like mayhap

The elephant

That noble beast

Of far distant lands

 

Charles Petrie