Touched By An Elephant

I felt as if I was intruding, invading her space,
When instructed, I reached out and touched her face.
I stood in awe before South Africa’s gentle giant.
I listened to the story of her proud and defiant
Fight for survival. Elephants at Knysna are so few.
The hunters had slain thousands, tragic tales but true.
I stopped and looked deep in her eyes, it is hard to explain,
But it was a special moment, as if we shared the pain.

What terrible memories has she stored of times gone by,
Back when she wandered wild beneath South Africa’s sky?
As her trunk took the fruit I offered from my outstretched hand
I knew it was impossible for me to understand
That greed could prove to be just as deadly as a disease
That anyone could even think of killing one of these
Magnificent, peaceful creatures, it seemed obscene to me
That so many had died for the sake of their ivory.

She finished eating the fruit, turned, moved away ambling, slow,
Reluctantly I turned also, it was time for me to go.
My meeting with this great old matriarch had meant so much.
Then, I felt it, gently with her trunk she reached out to touch
My neck. It was like a velvet teardrop, caressing, soft,
I turned, she raised her trunk in triumph, high aloft.
The sad story of her herd we must tell and then retell,
Save elephants from extinction, stop that final farewell!