Matriarch Poem by Colin Ian Jeffery

(Elephants killed for ivory --- endangered species)

Great grandmother, Matriarch of African elephant herd
Mostly female, daughters, aunts, cousins
With bull calves too young to fend for themselves.
She leads them place to place following seasons
Wise, gentle, compassionate, knowing waterholes.
Poachers after ivory creep deadly with the dawn
Shooting Matriarch with poison arrows
Trumpeting in panic, she rushes herd to safety.
Dying, stands supported by two daughters
Slowly sinking to belly as herd gather round her.
Hours pass, daughters trying to raise her up
She dies, family grieves for the old grandmother
Herd moves on led by a daughter, new Matriarch
Finding food and water throughout the seasons.