Terry Dawson, who lives in Zimbabwe, wrote this lovely poem about elephants and very kindly allowed me to put it onto Trees4Moz blog.
I wander the wilds lost in thought
And scant heed to those wilds I paid
But presently my eye was caught
By elephants at rest in shade
Of albidas that dot the plain
Of that vast region, flat, untame.Those giants in majestic state
Despite their might exude a calm –
My heart beats on at steady rate;
All to my soul a soothing balm.
By scent and sight they me discern
Yet they rest on in unconcern.
And scant heed to those wilds I paid
But presently my eye was caught
By elephants at rest in shade
Of albidas that dot the plain
Of that vast region, flat, untame.Those giants in majestic state
Despite their might exude a calm –
My heart beats on at steady rate;
All to my soul a soothing balm.
By scent and sight they me discern
Yet they rest on in unconcern.
Motionless the behemoths stand
Like statues in the wilderness
And in my heart I understand
They are the more and I am less.
In wonderment I stare bewitched
Not knowing yet how I’m enriched
Now I am old – long years have past
And thinking back to that far time
I see the lesson well at last:
Oneness with wilds is near-divine
And he who would be person whole
Firstly must be enriched in soul.
Terry Dawson
trees4moz.org 