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Black Elephant

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akrasiel

Published: Dec 7, 2014

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Literature Text

you move with all the strength of a herd long swept astray
you ford while stormy tides of the river turn to grey
and the colours of your land sweep round your battered hide
tossed by breaking winds that pull you side to side

I have not seen you in this life but for a glimpse this day
yet I know how you grieve while all the colours fade away

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black elephant flood grief river storm water alone herd loss wind

I had a dream about a black elephant crossing a flooding river and I woke with a song in my head. I got out of bed, went straight to my computer and wrote this in about ten minutes while the words were still there. Unfortunately I don't know how to write music and the tune will probably fade within the hour.

If you believe there's meaning in dreams, this is probably because I've been writing about colonialism and environmentalism in my novel. If you don't, then it's just about an elephant.

Is the rhythm okay? I currently can't read it without singing, but I'm not a musician. I haven't even bothered checking if it has regular meter; I just wrote what sounded right.

Comments49

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Constructio

Dec 6, 2018

This is wonderfully made, akrasiel. Perhaps I relate to the elephant. Perhaps seeing such a creature tugs at the heartstrings. Regardless, from your gallery, you've got talent.

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