The Wise One

Behold him! Bold, resilient, The biggest of them all... The wise one called the elephant Who deafens with his call! Behold the ears that span an arm, The trunk that's like a snake... The way he walks with gentle calm, Yet swims across a lake! Behold the tusks that help him fight, As he defends the herd... The twinkling eyes that grant him sight, To see when danger stirred! Behold the skin that hides his bones, Like wrinkled leather slits... The twisting tongue the wise one owns, As in his mouth it sits! Behold the awesome majesty, This giant God has made! His loss would be a travesty, If hunted and betrayed! Behold the challenge Man must face, To keep each wise one safe... For none of us can yet replace The life that God once gave... The poem is based on the magnificent painting by Stephen Gayford called 'The Wise One'.