Close Encounter

And there he was, like mercury, Dressed in his leathered skin, The elephant that looked at me And knew that he would win! While I stood still with mounting dread And in one of those jams, His tusks were pointing dead ahead! Just like battering rams! I could run left, I could run right, A nearby tree to climb, Then hold on tight with all my might As we two passed the time... Then suddenly he walked away! He left me standing still... Perhaps I'd live another day, Though right then I felt ill... I gulped and walked away real slow... Quite gingerly at first, Then scarpered off, now on the go And running at full burst! The elephant let out a roar! He bellowed loud and clear! I kept on running all the more, Like you would, too, my dear! Denis Martindale, copyright, July 2010. The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'Close Encounter'. More Stephen Gayford poems here: denis-martindale-dot-blogspot.com