Chains
In Chains
In the valley where I live there are no elephants
and that’s sad for the children who have to go
indoors and watch a wildlife program on TV to
see one of those magnificent creatures.
My valley is far from Africa and is full of olive,
lemon and almond trees that make the landscape
look like its been painted by Van Gogh, friendly
mules too lend ambience, but sadly no elephants.
Saw an elephant, once, at a fair it was chained to
rusty iron looked forlorn gloomy eyes that often
cried but it had resigned to its fate, that was a sad
sight to see an animal robbed of its natural dignity.
poem by Oskar Hansen
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Through The Valley
(After James Thomson)
As I came through the Valley of Despair,
As I came through the valley, onmy sight,
More awful that the darkness of the night,
Shone glimpses of a Past that had been fair,
And memories of eyes that used to smile,
And wafts of perfume from a vanished isle,
As I came through the valley.
As I came through the valley I could see,
As I came through the valley, fair and far,
As drowning men look up and see a star,
The fading shore of my lost Used-to-be;
And like an arrow in my heart I heard
The last sad notes of Hope’s expiring bird,
As I came through the valley.
As I came through the valley desolate,
As I came through the valley, like a beam
Of lurid lightning I beheld a gleam
Of Love’s great eyes that now were full of hate.
Dear God! dear God! I could bear all but that;
But I fell down soul-stricken, dead, thereat,
As I came through the valley.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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One researcher just determined that African and Indian elephants make each other sick. When a new animal or plant is introduced to a habitat bad things happen. The biggest danger to native wildlife is foreign wildlife.
quote by Robert T. Bakker
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cultivated Is My Valley
Cultivated Is My Valley
Peaceful is the landscape and the lane that meanders
amongst olive trees, stone walls neatly divide the land
a bit for everyone, but not enough to make you rich.
Here dogs only bark at night have cowardly, yellow eyes
there is no wolf left in these subjugated canines.
In Stockholm when spring comes ice shards fall off roof
tops, split brains in half, gore on snow. On paradise
islands too one has to look out for falling coco- nuts
they can so easily kill a man; but here, in my valley, only
petals of the almond tree flower fall.
Birdsongs and breeze that caresses olive trees, now that’s
peace, ok, so should I not be happy as I contemplate
a carob tree? I see a woman bending down, weeding her
potato field, clouds on the sky are as soft as the mustachio
on a Romanian girl’s upper lip. All this herald peace so
why shouldn’t I be happy, when seeing a flock of cows
with full udders ready to be milked at five? Yet I dream of
galloping horses on the pampas of Argentine, flying mane,
flaring nostrils. This place I tell myself lacks passion, it’s
too tame, or is it me that has been restrained by age?
poem by Oskar Hansen
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China Slaughters Elephants For Profit Ivory
10 million elephants 10 years ago
decade on worldwide 2012 less than
450,000 elephants survive worldwide
an evil hand causes elephant holocaust
elephants only survive in wilderness areas
Chinese companies resource rape cut roads
into mother planet earth last wilderness areas
urban global hero Wikileaks sources reviews
Wikileaks spills the beans on Chinese financial
elephant poaching China slaughtering elephants
for profit ivory to get limp Chinese alter ego dicks
up demand is growing growing growing dickless
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Little Aggie
When Joe Dove took his elephants out on the road
He made each one hold fast with his trunk
To the tail of the elephant walking in front
To stop them from doing a bunk.
There were fifteen in all, so 'twere rather a job
To get them linked up in a row,
But once he had fixed 'em Joe knew they'd hold on,
For an elephant never lets go.
The pace it was set by the big 'uns in front,
'Twas surprising how fast they could stride,
And poor little Aggie, the one at the back...
Had to run till she very near died.
They were walking one Sunday from Blackpool to Crewe,
They'd started at break of the day,
Joe followed behind with a bagful of buns
In case they got hungry on t'way.
They travelled along at a rattling good pace
Over moorland and valley and plain,
And poor little Aggie the one at the back
Her trunk fairly creaked with the strain.
They came to a place where the railway crossed road,
An ungated crossing it were,
And they wasn't to know as the express was due
At the moment that they landed there.
They was half way across when Joe saw the express-
It came tearing along up the track-
He tried hard to stop, but it wasn't much good,
For an elephant never turns back.
He saw if he didn't do something at once
The train looked like spoiling his troupe,
So he ran on ahead and he waggled tho buns
To show them they'd best hurry up
When they caught sight of buns they all started to run,
And they soon got across at this gait,
Except poor little Aggie-the one at the back,
She were one second too late.
The express came dashing along at full speed,
And caught her end on, fair and square
She bounced off the buffers, turned head over heels,
And lay with her legs in the air.
Joe thought she were dead when he saw her lyin' there,
With the back of her head on the line
He knelt by her side, put his ear to her chest,
And told her to say " ninety-nine."
She waggled her tail and she twiggled her trunk ;
To show him as she were alive;
She hadn't the strength for to say "ninety-nine,"
She just managed a weak "eighty-five."
When driver of th' engine got down from his cab
Joe said "Here's a nice howdedo,
To see fifteen elephants ruined for life
By a clumsy great driver like you."
Said the driver, "There's no need to mak' all this fuss,
There's only one hit as I've seen."
Joe said, "Aye, that's right, but they held on so tight
You've pulled back end off t' other fourteen."
Joe still walks around with his elephant troupe,
He got them patched up at the vet's,
But Aggie won't walk at the back any more,
'Cos an elephant never forgets.
poem by Marriott Edgar
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Valley Of Love
welcome to the valley of love
where there is love above, and love below
love, everywhere you go.
in this valley you will see, all of GODS creations
and see the truth in his revelations.
you will be taught the love of man for each other
and for all that the LORD has provided.
in the seas, the sky, the earth, and all its worth.
this love will fill every part of your being
this is what you'll be seeing.
your heart will feel like it's about to explode
and even fill your entire soul.
the love in your eyes, will even fill the darkness night
and turn everything into light.
anything and everything that you could imagine
love to be, will become your reality.
there will be no such things as sadness, or hate
just hearts full of faith.
take your partners hand and travel down the road
to this 'valley of love' where birds will sing up above.
and where sea creatures will jump out of the water
all in perfect order.
and the land creatures will run ahead.
to make you a warm comfortable bed.
this valley is not a dream, or just imagination
it is a beautiful desired sensation.
which fills your heart to capacity, and opens your eyes
so that you could see, all that is meant to be.
poem by Louis Rams
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Our Chains
we are chained
we know that
we feel it everyday
we like to find solutions
our vision
our objective
is freedom
but everyday we are chained
we know these chains
we carry them
and they make the sounds of steel
and iron
we wear it in our necks
and on our feet
we feel the dangling of the weights
we have broadened our shoulders
and sharpened our wits
to know well these chains
to carry them all
still with dignity and pride.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Screws And Plugs!
The River Styx,
Thriller!
Small-ear elephants for Asia and,
Big-ear elephants for Africa! !
But, i am under the lovely arms of love.
Screws and plugs!
But, different materials require different types of things;
However, the demons went into the pigs.
Black listed!
You have no respect for other people;
So, let Yahweh be the judge and,
Let us all uphold His Laws! !
For, it is time to change for the better in this land.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Every elephant contains two elephants, one who learns what he's taught and another who insists on ignoring it all.
Jose Saramago in The Elephant's Journey (2008), translated by Margaret Jull Costa
Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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In The Footsteps Of Giants
The tiny distant dustcloud loomed
As I surveyed the scene,
Turned out much more than first assumed
And nothing like serene...
The elephants were running fast
As I stared in surprise,
Quite terrified and then aghast,
Like giants to my eyes...
Amid the whirling storm they charged,
Head on, not left or right,
The wildlife fleeing as they barged,
Like victims taking flight...
For who would stand against the herd?
Or try to block their way?
The thought of it was quite absurd!
We'd all be squashed like clay!
I took some photos just in time,
Then I was out of there!
Thank God! My pictures were sublime!
The answer to my prayer!
To think, I lived to tell the tale,
With proof that serves enough...
Although my face turned deadly pale,
Those elephants I love!
Denis Martindale, copyright, May 2012.
The poem is based on the magnificent painting by
Stephen Gayford called 'In The Footsteps Of Giants'.
More Stephen Gayford poems here:
denis-martindale-dot-blogspot-dot-com
poem by Denis Martindale
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Be Brave!
Be brave! They say, but they don't know
The terrors that I've seen!
Pink elephants with eyes that glow
That glare and look so mean!
Those elephants can really roar,
Like trumpets from their trunks!
Then they taunt me with their encore,
They dance as if they're hunks!
They may look hunks to someone else,
As they prance on the ground,
But I wish they'd say their farewells,
I don't like them around!
You've never seen long tusks their size!
Like spears from left to right!
I put my hands upon my eyes!
I just can't stand the sight!
Pink elephants! They're everywhere!
The cops won't do a thing...
They smile at me like they don't care,
Say I'm imagining!
I don't take drugs and don't drink booze!
God's got it in for me!
They'll lock me up, won't let me loose,
They'll throw away the key!
At last, I'm all alone, at last!
This padded cell is great...
No longer feeling quite downcast...
The catering's first rate...
I think I'll stay here for a while...
No trunks, no tusks, no ears...
In fact, that thought sure makes me smile...
I could stay here for years...
poem by Denis Martindale
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Valley Of Sound
Move me
Dont try
Let the music reach me tonight
Push me over into something new
Ive been riding all day on a bus
Just to listen to you
I love, I love, I love I love the look
In your trespassed eyes
I love, I love, I love I love the way
You can make me cry
Sink me into stirred-up sea
Something I can drown in
Only you can do this to me
I love, I love, I love I love the look
In your trespassed eyes
I love, I love, I love I love the way
You can make me cry
Fill me up
And drop me down, yeah
Now Im alive in the valley of sound
In the valley of sound
In the valley of sound, yeah
In the valley of sound
I love, I love, I love I love the look
In your trespassed eyes, yeah
I love, I love, I love I love the way
You can make me cry
Yeah yeah, in the valley of sound
Hmm, the valley of sound, yeah yeah yeah
Valley, valley, you can,
The valley of sound
Yeah.
song performed by by Heather Nova
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Super Samson Simpson
I am Super Samson Simpson,
I'm superlatively strong,
I like to carry elephants,
I do it all day long,
I pick up half a dozen
and hoist them in the air,
it's really somewhat simple,
for I have strength to spare.
My muscles are enormous,
they bulge from top to toe,
and when I carry elephants,
they ripple to and fro,
but I am not the strongest
in the Simpson family,
for when I carry elephants,
my grandma carries me.
poem by Jack Prelutsky
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Africa-The Rainbow Continent
Welcome to Africa to get peaceful pleasure,
Here I shall open the box of African treasure.
Africa is a blend of everything,
This safari I promise will surely be pleasing.
This rainbow continent has countries significant,
Even its geographical features are magnificent.
From Kilimanjaro the mountain hard to reach,
To the endless Nile whose infinity is difficult to seek
Sahara, the largest desert on the globe where the heat is scorching,
With ancient pyramids of Egypt makes the continentmore promising.
With more than 50 countries, Africa is exquisite
It will be a miracle that all of these i get to visit.
The numerous languages spoken there give an indegenous feeling,
These miscellaneous dialects have their own expressions and meaning.
The festivals celebrated there are colourful and jubilant,
With their attire that reflects a culture that is radiant.
African music mainly consists of drums, lute and trumpet
And the dance reflects confidence, ambition and spirit.
Africa's wildlife-a multitude of animals is amazing,
It is fun to see elephants and zebras grazing.
Now this safari seems to be endless
I must say that 'Africa' is divinely blessed.
(12 June,2007)
poem by Urvashi Gautam
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Nature's Peace
On my scooter I was driving along a slender road
on the upper valley. At the bottom of the vale,
where the main road is, I heard swishes of traffic.
A hot afternoon but the westerly wind blew from
the sea and made it bearable. I stopped and just
sat there listening to the subdued natural din.
On the other side of the valley houses have been
built since I came, that’s ok, as they blend in with
the landscape. I looked up and saw the dead oak,
leafless and grey, nothing lasts forever my friend.
An old man now I’m aware of my mortality, but
this was a moment of peace, and I felt invincible.
poem by Oskar Hansen
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Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals
Love is sharper than stones or sticks;
Lone as the sea, and deeper blue;
Loud in the night as a clock that ticks;
Longer-lived than the Wandering Jew.
Show me a love was done and through,
Tell me a kiss escaped its debt!
Son, to your death you'll pay your due-
Women and elephants never forget.
Ever a man, alas, would mix,
Ever a man, heigh-ho, must woo;
So he's left in the world-old fix,
Thus is furthered the sale of rue.
Son, your chances are thin and few-
Won't you ponder, before you're set?
Shoot if you must, but hold in view
Women and elephants never forget.
Down from Caesar past Joynson-Hicks
Echoes the warning, ever new:
Though they're trained to amusing tricks,
Gentler, they, than the pigeon's coo,
Careful, son, of the curs'ed two-
Either one is a dangerous pet;
Natural history proves it true-
Women and elephants never forget.
L'ENVOI
Prince, a precept I'd leave for you,
Coined in Eden, existing yet:
Skirt the parlor, and shun the zoo-
Women and elephants never forget.
poem by Dorothy Parker
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Pine Forest
Let us go now into the forest.
Trees will pass by your face,
and I will stop and offer you to them,
but they cannot bend down.
The night watches over its creatures,
except for the pine trees that never change:
the old wounded springs that spring
blessed gum, eternal afternoons.
If they could, the trees would lift you
and carry you from valley to valley,
and you would pass from arm to arm,
a child running
from father to father.
poem by Gabriela Mistral
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Elephant Fort
Black beauties in chains-
Before the ticket counters,
A long queue does creep
To scatter near black wonders.
Ears and tails always move,
Ruminating rhythms of forest.
Elephants are inside the fort,
Exposed to the sky barest.
I hear the hushed emotions
In the clinking of chains.
Hearts are smouldering inside;
Eyes emit lava of pains.
Burning red wild flowers
And the tickling streams
Each elephant longs I know:
But chains kill the dreams.
(Anakotta at Punathur, Guruvayur, Kerala inspired me to write this verse)
poem by Fabiyas M V
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A Best Emperor!
Besides poet, people birds, animals too love freedom;
Lion may be king of jungle but elephant is emperor!
This big, best emperor called gentle giant is humble
And accepts to bless devotes, escort Temple deities!
This huge animal emperor is kept as van in temple slot,
A humiliating sight to see, yet it humbly accepts the role!
For stomach satisfying food emperor surrenders, serves
And sustains with faith and gratitude to men and God!
A wonder to see freedom loving natural animal living so!
Is it a fate or destiny for the best emperor to live so here?
Child like and divine looking elephant is chiseled as God
Called as Lord Ganesha is animal, man and divine in one!
When will this big, best emperor get freedom from man
Know not, think I, whenever I see standing before Temple?
poem by Ramesh T A
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Sonnet: Vie Not With Others
So light is the wood of the willow-tree,
Yet, strong enough for cricket-bats to make;
So hard is the wood of the ebony,
Which heavy trunks of elephants dare take.
The bamboo-shoot, a musical reed makes,
And when ’tis green, elephants eat like cakes;
The paddy-straw is fit for just the cow;
The tallest grass to wind must always bow.
Each flower, frond, plant, tree, creatures on earth,
Has a role to play, predestined from birth;
One need not try to copy the other;
One can do just what one is meant for, brother.
There is nothing to vie with the next man;
Each one must do just whatever he can.
poem by John Celes
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