the poetry of Charles Fry

1 July 1995

J. Elephant

there's this guy i met the other day
named J. but since then they've taken to calling him Elephant;
and not only because he is one.
man, ya aughta see him.
big ears. grey ears. elephant ears.
One on each side of his head.
i whisper at him and he doesn't turn --
but still i Think he can hear every thing.
thick legs. grey legs. elephant legs.
One way down below each of his ears.
he walks by me and i can't hear him --
but still i think that in a Stampede every one would hear.
long trunk. grey trunk. elephant trunk.
One between his two big ears.
he tucks it in his shirt pocket as he walks by --
but with it out he could suck All the water out of his aquarium.

oh yeah -- and he lives in an aquarium.
it's like the Man put him there or somethin,
as if he could outdo all the circuses with one cheap trick.
ah well -- at least he's swimmin instead of...
yeah, that's right.

Copyright © 1995 Charles Fry