Elephants' Graveyard Poem by Mark Heathcote

Of course, when it's my time to go
I'll gladly join that elephants' graveyard
dragging my sad, sorry carcass back upriver
I'll go salt-mining on my way down.
I'll scar ancient walls, delivering a taste
of life from whence death still entreats.

I-too will venture into Mt Elgon in Kenya.
Deep inside, I'll remember my roots
stood embedded not only in ivory tusks
not only on these weary roads of dust
but we're a part of the African Savanna
that led its way out and built mud huts.

I'll take pride in this dangerous journey.
That it hurt like hell. That hot-red desert
of hunger boiled over to empty, each well
leaving deeper pangs, we go in search of.
Of course, when it's my time finally to go
I'll join that elephants' graveyard
Happy, don't you know.