The Smallness of things There are not many elephants left on the savanna Near the houses graceful nature has made them Smaller with tusks not bigger than an oxen's horn And can hide in the bushes or look like a tree if People come near. They are hunted by people who would like To have an elephant's head on the wall. With so many humans being killed everywhere Why should I care about elephants, it is just they Are my friends and when leaning against a tree That is an elephantβs flank there is a contact Between us and an understanding that we are Both a dying breed, like tigers and lions Cute Vietnamese pigs and flying genii that will you No harm, it is not itβs their fault having black wings And screams as when a barrel bomb hits its target Startled I wake up and there is blood on the carpet.