I remember it vividly. I saw it with my

own eyes:

The mighty stream running through

long curved tusks under furious eyes.

A mountain of ange, swelling and

welling in every stride, hiding the

sun from my glassy eyes.

I stood bewildered with gloom, staring

at the elephant’s fiery eyes, searching

for bravery under tall grass coated

with dew. I was alive. Alive and well

enough to harbor instinct, but I didn’t

move. A larynx burst in charging

trumpets, causing birds to fly away

toward safety.

And I ran

Like the wind

I ran

My eyes gleamed

The elephant breathed

I flowed

Like leaping streams

I flowed

Blood streams on my swollen feet

Oozing and gushing in the heat

I raced

Like an army horse

I raced

Fear in my tearful eyes

Death behind me with deadly cries

I soared

like a mighty hawk

I soared

I remember it vividly. I felt it in my

bones:

The straining pain of running on punc-

ture vine weed with bare feet through

a field of karl foerster feather reed.

Who knew what would have been in

there? the broken bottles which men

tossed from the daily voyage to beer

filled bays? the bones of dead infants

mauled by stray foxes, with fur as red

as wildfire? Or the teeth of abused

wives who cry a sour tear?

“Dear God!” I cried, but the gleaming

stars above me hid him.

Up

Down

Over sharp stones

In

Out

Through fields of thorns

Mother can I hear you sing

I will die soon

Father can I hear you sing

I will die soon

An elephant will kill me

Under the moon

Tell the stars to reveal God

Don’t wait till noon