African Giant Poem by Denis Martindale

Across the plains of Africa,
Elephants come and go,
There lives this mighty superstar,
That most have come to know.
This is no small thing that you can pet
Or treat as if a child...
For he's as tall as you can get
And sometimes he gets wild!

If he runs at you all at once,
Don't stand there, waiting, friend!
Don't wave to him and act the dunce,
For soon, your life will end!
This creature's one you won't forget!
He'll dance upon your grave!
To run away, that's your best bet,
If you your life would save!

African giant, please stay there!
Let's keep things peaceful now.
You're big enough to show some care,
To let me live somehow...
I won't approach your giant frame
Or challenge you to fight...
Let common wisdom be our aim
And please, let's stay polite!

The plains are big enough for us...
The sun is way too hot...
And running's such an awful fuss
Aand in the end, for what?
You'd be upset! I'd be upset!
And each would look the fool...
No need for us to build a sweat...
Let's choose to play it cool.

Relax! Calm down! OK, alright!
Breathe in and out. That's good.
You're doing great! It's out of sight.
You see, I knew you could!
I'm not the kind to hurt a fly...
Let's settle down, OK?
Let's watch each moment pass us by...
Let's both enjoy the day...

copyright, Denis Martindale.

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'African Giant'.