Poem: When Elephants Fall

June 5, 2024.

There are a few days I remember. I suffer from forgetfulness of dates and events, especially those that are traumatic. I wanted to write about broken vases, but then I looked at what happened — I realized it was something else.

Oh! The sound when an elephant falls. Soft yet heavy. The happiness to those who took it down.

Oh, that! I can’t agree more! And this! WoW. Wow. Wow. The big thing is down. That is all we wanted. Yes, that is done. Then?

The thing is still, silent, and deep inside, dead. It still has something to offer — a month's load of meat. So, let us eat.

Poem: When Elephants Fall

Have you wondered —
why are elephants tall?
I too imagine in glee
What if they take a fall?

Ah, the sounds are so sweet
The loudest thud that I can hear
The moment we were waiting for
It’s virtues bring nothing to bear

The pack can now reach
Biting of skin so rough, grey and thick
A month full of sumptuous meat
Of them mouthfuls, that they can pick.

Oh, the rabid noise around its silence
The cackles tear the air
Nature has its vicious ways
To bring equality to bear.

The elephant in the room
Shall too one day fall
Never so bright, you bloom
The taller you are, the harder your fall.

~Ashok Subramanian © 2024