Intelligence of the Elephants

A poem on our experience with elephants

By Abigail Strauss

My experience with the elephants is quite irrelevant,

Except, of course, when I need bragging rights.

The intelligence of the elephants is filled with elegance,

A glimmer in their eye, a twinkle, oh so bright.

The elephants, they swim through the sediment,

Of the water they call their bathing grounds.

And when you ride atop them, you’re in your element—

With their lumbering steps, you’ll never see a frown.

Their trunks, they use with such amazing eloquence,

To spray water in your face or grab a leafy snack.

Only an hour, but it was still filled with excellence.

I sure do hope that one day I’ll come back.

But if I don’t, I’m still glad I had this experience.

Of such intelligent beasts that I got to meet.

They seemed like queens and kings, so full of eminence—

So far, of what I’ve seen and done, the elephants can’t be beat.

Personal Note:

Their big curious eyes. - Their wrinkled, leathery skin. - How they seem to understand and listen to you. - They’re so gentle and sweet. - They have such different personalities. (And a bit of a naughty side too) - Their trunks that are constantly exploring. - My connection with them. - Riding on their head and feeling like I belong. - How I see them as our elders, and that we should respect them. - How I'm scared of a world without them. - We need to protect these beautiful creatures.