Glorious Mud! Poem by Denis Martindale

An elephant was getting hot and needed cooling down,
He couldn't stay still on the spot to melt away each frown.
He made his way to find the pool he hoped would still be there,
When days pass by, they prove the rule that water turns to air.
He limbered on and then arrived content to soothe his blood,
You see, he knew the joys derived from standing in that mud.
He waded in and took his time to savour how he felt,
With gratitude, it proved sublime that burdens there would melt!

Oh, my! he thought, just as folks would who found that pool looked nice!
It's such a pleasant neighbourhood! So good, it's Paradise!
He smiled as elephants should smile if smiling was their thing,
And vowed he'd stay there for a while, presiding as its King!
Now, this is life! the King remarked, alone and full of glee,
With tail submerged and body parked, in total ecstasy!
When two birds flew above his head then vanished in the trees,
It was as if those birds had fled and sought their share of peace.

He raised his trunk as if to say, I want to be alone!
They didn't stay and flew away, so there he stood alone.
His muscles drooped as he stood still, no longer tense at all,
He stayed a while, then had his fill of this sweet miracle.
He turned around and left that place for others to partake,
Departing God's amazing grace that only He could make.
If elephants could pray, then he would bless this neighbourhood!
I'd have to say that he'd agree. Glorious mud feels good!


Denis Martindale, for the 28th of November 2024.


This poem is about the magnificent painting
by the UK wildlife artist Stephen Gayford.