Big Ivory! Poem by Denis Martindale

Some elephants grow big and strong
Big ivory on show,
Because each tusk grows very long,
Curved forward, as you know...
Imagine if you had those, too!
Each kiss you're bound to miss!
Your lips held back, so 'I love you! '
Would hardly lead to bliss!

What was God thinking on that day
When elephants were made?
With two great tusks right in the way
And think how much they weighed!
'Why me? ' the big guy must have thought!
'They don't half look a sight! '
Perhaps he stood still, overwrought
And asked God, 'Is this right! ? '...

Did he have wrinkles from that time?
Feel sorry for himself?
Or did he stand tall in his prime,
Accepting his good health?
Though Adam could have moaned aloud
And voiced such travesty,
The elephant stood tall and proud
Of his big ivory...


Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2014.


The poem is based on the magnificent painting by
Stephen Gayford, nb Google search gayfordgallery.

Find more wildlife poems using Google search
for the search phrase Stephen Gayford poetry.