What Can I Do With My African Elephant Ivory? Poem by * Sunprincess *

What Can I Do With My African Elephant Ivory?



the curious shop's owner sat down his little elephant of jade
sir we have something precious to trade
yes! says the curious little shop's owner, let's take a look
after marking 379 in his accounting book
as he opened the case
with a startled look on his face
the owner backed away from them
oh sir and madame!
you must quickly leave from here
upon his face was a look of fear
asked the well dressed lady of wealth
who didn't seem to be in good health
What can I do with my African elephant ivory?
sir and madame this is my advisory
tie it up in a sack
and take the ivory back
whoever buys this ivory will be cursed
an elephant curse is the worst!
as they were on their way to leave
the shops owner gave a sigh of relief
then he says, wait right there stop!
and the owner of the curious little shop
went to his desk for a look
when returning with an antique book
he says read this and follow all directions
even to the t, follow all instructions
to remove the elephant's curse
you will need a wizard's potion and a nurse
sir and madame, good luck and good day
go now and be on your way!

Saturday, June 21, 2014
Topic(s) of this poem: animals
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
....please, please, please do not buy any ivory of any shape, size, or form...to many beautiful elephants are dying... and will soon be extinct...this is the only way to save their lives is to stop buying what the poachers are selling...even if they say it is legal do not believe them...many illegal operations are run under the guise of legal businesses...as criminal investigators have discovered
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Neela Nath Das 06 July 2014

I love your deep concern over the atrocious killing of elephants.A beautiful write Rachel.

1 0 Reply
Akhtar Jawad 05 July 2014

These are not only elephants, many animals are killed for human luxuries and earning money. It is however a positive sign that voices are raised against this inhuman evil.

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Kevin Patrick 01 July 2014

If only it were that simple, if the elephant was still sacred or held to some respect then perhaps it would not be threatened, the mark of colonialism still lingers in the heart of Africa, in exploitation of its resources. This was slightly more humorous then Stolen Tusks, which dealt with the same theme, I like this one because its slightly more positive, although I happen to like the other mostly because of the ending of the poacher getting his just desserts. Great stuff Rachel!

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Chuy Amante 28 June 2014

Very thoughtful and well written too many folks ivory smitten; _(

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Ken Bowman 25 June 2014

Gorgeous words. I think i could learn a lot from you.

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Kim Barney 07 October 2015

Love the poem. It's sad that many of the animals we love may soon become extinct. Please read my poem 'Virunga' which is about the mountain gorillas in the Congo. Thanks.

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Ken E Hall 24 December 2014

Good show for animals the next big thing is not to eat any animals that are raised and slaughtered so young. the planets biggest detriment is the massive methane gas that goes in the ozone level more than any industrial factory Thanks for the show of care...regards

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Daniel Brick 12 October 2014

Now a comment on your poem... This is a brilliant piece of fiction (the kind the poet Ezra Pound called FACTION!) to convey the emotional aspect of this issue. You portray the shop owner with precise details of behavior - he comes alive for the reader, and the transformation of a businessman sensing a big profit to the scared little man is vividly portrayed. In contrast those two rich people are completely clueless about the damage they are causing as they bustle around the planet in their opulent idleness. This a striking vignette to illustrate the challenge we face in protecting helpless animals from US.

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Daniel Brick 12 October 2014

Hi Rachel I already know your fervent commitment to the planet from previous poems. E- A -R - T - H you love and love adds so much more to a political cause than just commitment. There's a scene at the end of Dostoyevsky's CRIME AND PUNISHMENT in which the murderer wants to redeem himself by turning himself in but he can't. So he kneels down on the ground, leans forward and kisses the earth. He gains the courage he needs to confess by that act of love. You have that kind of fervor.

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Kanav Justa 10 July 2014

it is disheartning to see such a majestic animal being killed just for the sake of making money... but one think always leaves be wondering, , , life in any form is precious, , weather it be a big elephant, , or a small fly, , , we can feel the pain when somedy kills an elephant, , , but what about the others that we kill, , say a fly for instance, , i have killled so many of them in my life but never there was never a feelling of guilt, , , just shows our human nature, , what we donnot like, , , even if we kill then, , still we would be able to convince ourselves that what we did was correct, , nice poem, , ,

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