Ghost Elephants Poem by Terry Dawson

In Outeniqua's mountains dwell
A remnant few that honour well
The montane forest's ancient lore,
Steadfast as the enduring shore.

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Moist air comes in off of the sea
Climbing the hills of scenery
And feeds with rain that rich biome
That once to wildlife was home.

And through the mighty trees that grow
Vague phantom shadows come and go.
A fleeting glimpse that strikes the eye
Rekindles myth that will not die.

In olden day a balance dwelt
Upon the forest and the veldt
In days before the white men came
Was wild land alive with game


~~~~~~

The mountain range marks stark divide,
For dry the land on northern side
And there upon the wide Karoo
Resides the one that ever knew
That there in lands beyond the hills
A wondrous relic lingered still.

Her wild heart with nature kin,
Its natural rhythms beat within,
In oneness with the remnant few
Whose truth lives on midst mist and dew -

Ghost elephants that linger yet
Their ghostliness may all regret!
How better had progress passed by
This wonderland beneath the sky?
This wonderland now left to cry