Winding upward through the hills, we reach a bridge that spans a large open space. Children stand tall, their toes and hands woven into the fence, eager to glimpse the huge animal.
The elephant is serene, yet busy. Its trunk roots constantly through the plentiful food at its feet. Just last week, I am told, three of them stood pressing their shoulders against the closed gate, eager to leave the open arena and return indoors.
standing at the pond
an elephant, alone
dry grass, an open cage
(Illustratation by author — pencil on paper, then digitally colored. Found texts possible by my friend Kathy Amt, the graphic artist.)
