This poem is dedicated to an old jumbo that we used to watch on our regular fishing trips
to the Zambezi Valley. I often think of him and hope that if he is dead that he has
been allowed to die a natural death and all body parts have been left in the land
where they belong.
Shadows crawl: drowsy with the late afternoon heat
A burst of evening hues: an explosive treat
As the golden sky sets the clouds ablaze
Moths romance the silky twilight haze
A gentle breeze frolics through the canopy of trees
Fragmenting the moonbeams that peek and tease
The Zambezi river carves it’s way through the valley
Fast and forbidding: pulsating with life and vitality
Starlight and mystery hang motionless and warm
Rumbles from an elephant: Nature’s perfect life form
When the East is aglow with a burnished light
A majestic old jumbo ambles out of the night
The Zambezi valley throbs gently beneath his feet
An echo of harmony where land and elephant meet
A rugged beauty shared: both majestic and grand
Valley and jumbo entwined by a spiritual hand
His magnificent head: held up high
His thick meaty trunk sweeps the azure sky
Mystical and powerful, this proud old tusker
Jagged ivories have long lost their lustre
The curve from eye to tusk is wide
Youth long flown: his only companion pride
Fanning the breeze with tattered old ears
Easing an arthritic back leg that has dogged him for years
His heavy coat wrinkled: still lord of the land
This wise old jumbo splendid and grand
Long peaceful days pass in silent meditation
Body and soul courting spiritual transformation
An echo of a trumpet call pierces the air
The trees a silent witness: the wind whistles a prayer
Mother Nature bows gracefully: Her gratuity absolute
The first drops of rainfall: a final salute
An awesome poem…your ability with words leaves me speechless and emotional.
You are so talented! !! You always make me feel like I am there and I too feel emotional and so so proud of you!!!!
Beautiful.
you must have some direct connection to Source my friend – the words are such that they take me and embed me in that scene, away from the madness, if only for a time. It reinforces my connection to the Animal Kingdom and that we are One x
Absolutely beautiful poem and made me smile for a while amongst this poaching madness xx
Another splendid poem. Full of feeling. xx
wow such lovely words I just loved it
love the beauty of it and the elephants description,
so beautiful and how he was poised
elegant and handsome,
thank you for creating a beautiful sense of enjoyment and embodiment.
Wow! this has to be the best yet…….brilliant, just brilliant Jen!!!!!
Stunning Jen. How I miss those days, but was transported there with your poem
Oh my goodness. What beautiful words, what a beautiful scene described, what a magnificent animal. Truly God’s work at hand. My tears are still flowing from pure joy at the memory and homesickness to a childhood also long gone. Thank you for making my day.
Beautiful, Jen, made the tears flow. Such deep words.
Your poem encompasses everything that those of us from Africa love and miss. The words are evocative and give shape and form to our memories and deep yearning for a life long ago…. Thank you.
The most beautiful poem. Every word in this poem tells a grand story of such an amazing gentle giant. Our hearts are all still in our home country. God bless.