The Elephants Poem by Terry Dawson

Soft light by gradual stage reveals
(As dark of night recedes)
Idyllic scenes which yet conceal
Most grim and bloody deeds

Bushvelt is harsh land to its core
Where strong forever seek
According to the ancient lore
To profit from the weak.

~~~~

Alongside the herd two veteran bulls
Stands tall in morning light
And from their heads in glory full
Great tusks of gleaming white. 

Experience guides them to the grove
Where buds of spring shoot yet.
There they banquet from the trove;
Which never they forget. 

Tender shoots plucked from tallest trees
Of most exquisite taste
By agile trunks with greatest ease,
Steady and even paced.

Shadows shorten, the day's heat grows;
The duo seek for rest
And from experience each beast knows
Beneath which tree shade is best

 ~~~~ 

In border lands of wilds conserved
Where life is really tough
Lives one with troubles undeserved
Whoes fate has dealt him rough. 

A master he of the bushcraft arts
He cleans his ancient rifle.
His quarry, the elephants of these parts;
His self-set task's no trifle. 

He checks the track for tell-tale sign,
Notes the bearing of the breeze,
Thinks through again his grim design
And frets on unpaid school fees. 

Beneath a large and leafy tree,
In deep shade rest our duo.
Elsewhere the poacher sits, and he
Counts out his precious ammo. 

~~~~ 

Now from the dust and heat and haze
Oblique rays grant respite.
The drift begins as in bygone days
To water as mellows the light.

Direct the winding path proceeds
To the banks of the hippo'd pan
Where all may quaff their watery needs
To last full a one-day span.

At water biostrus games unfold
Cavorting giants unaware
Of the cost they may yet be tolled
For the ivory they bear.

Retiring now into the gathering dusk,
Loud report shatters calm
And covatous man's great want of tusk
Bring noble beast to harm.

Against speeding bullet, what defence
For loss of range, what plan?
Now let the time of shame commence
For greedy hearted man! 

If by our hand this mighty Wild
Should vanish from the earth,
What could we tell the Future's child
And what would be our worth?