Elephant Poo
by
Matt Zurbo
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s ears,
listening…
listening…
to the breeze,
a flee sneeze…
buzzing bees,
to things people whisper,
their hopes, their fears…
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s skin,
tough,
tough and thick,
absorbing the sun,
gently touched with a sigh,
protecting my bum,
Baggy, saggy, making me look wise.
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant heard,
just for the love,
the friendship,
protection,
a bond stronger than words.
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s trumpet,
heard throughout Africa,
Asia,
across deserts,
through mountains,
and if you didn’t like it,
well, then you could lump it!
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s eyes,
Oh, oh, the things they have seen
on the plains,
under magnificent skies.
The quiet wonder,
the joy,
that might make you cry,
make you sigh…
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s trunk,
caressing my babies,
feeding them,
hugging, cleaning them,
making fun,
tucking them in, when their days are done.
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s tusks,
magnificent,
grand,
on Savanah or in jungle,
ready to protect,
ready to rumble!
*****
If I could, I’d be an elephant’s poo,
a big splat on the ground,
over near you.
You might curse, even hold your nose,
but, far out, the wonderful things,
from me that would grow!
Plants, flowers, vines,
fed on by insects,
of all shapes and hues,
that were dined on by lizards and birds,
and field mice, too.
That would then feed lions,
monkeys,
even baboons…
The cycle of life,
under sun, under moon….
*****
Amazing animals, amazing colours,
resting on my elephant skin,
dazzling my elephant eyes,
flying about my elephant ears,
easing all my elephant fears.
Poo!
An elephant’s poo!
If I could, that’s what I’d be,
what I’d do!
Be something smelly, from which grass grew!
Healthy grass,
lush and green,
or dry and gold,
over which all elephants might roam…
The End
365 kids books in 365 days 