The Elephants and Their Faces

by Kathleen MacGregor

It is spring

But it is not lightness and joy that

Are visiting her today.

The daffodils

Are blinding in their yellowness

And she turns her face away.

The crocuses

Are unfolding themselves and having a stretch

But she walks past them without a sniff.

The robins

Are feasting and round on worms.

So many worms

Lay dead, having drowned and are uneaten.

If she finds one alive on the walk

She picks it up and

Carries it to the dirt beside the road.

Because a worm she can save.

But she can’t save a boy in uniform

In a street

In a war.

She can’t save her sons

From all the ways there are to

Torture.

Be tortured.

She can’t stop the relentless

Turning of the seasons

And in her heart it feels like

Winter.

And she would like the sky

To feel like winter too.

Her heart feels like bare

Branches, that the trees would be bare too.

Remember how we’re all connected?

Remember how we’re all one?

Remember how killing the whales is killing

Ourselves?

Are you saying that it is I

Who cut the elephants from their faces?

Are you telling me

That I turn redwood trees

Into fences?

I don’t want that.

I don’t want to do that.

How do I stop it?

Yes,

I am telling you that.

I’m so sorry.

You have had to feel so small and alone.

Please, please forgive me.

My unconsciousness.

Thank you.

For be-coming to my awareness.

Thank you for showing me my love.

I love you.

2 Responses to “The Elephants and Their Faces”

1. Margaret says:

   April 26, 2010 at 2:48 pm

   Kathleen,
   Such a bleak, sad, beautiful expression.
   Thank you.

2. Luana says:

   October 17, 2010 at 6:37 pm

   Yes, Bleek and sad…
   also
   generous and forgiveing….

   Thanks Kathleen