Untitled (Elephant)

By DH

Have you even seen an elephant at the zoo
Locked up with so many chains it can barely move

It must know that it’s big enough to break those cuffs
But it thinks it’s a failure and that’s why it’s stuck

They put chains on it when it was very young
And it fell on its face when it tried to run

Eventually it gave up hope
And now that it’s strong enough to break free it only mopes

I often feel the same pain
At one point I was free but I fell for the game

But I’m worse than the elephants, I have to be,
Because the oppressor that put me here was me

6 Comments

  1. CP on September 22, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    DH-

    I love the comparison between being incarcerated and being in a Zoo, especially the way you bring it full circle at the end and note that the only difference is that you put yourself there. (Although, I think there are always social factors and external realities that lead anyone to act, and certainly to prison). The line that resonates the most to me is the one where you say, “It must know that it’s big enough to break those cuffs/But it thinks it’s a failure and that’s why it’s stuck.” I’m sure a lot of people can related to the idea that sometimes we are our own barriers. You really create such an interesting images and relate ideas so creatively and imaginatively. I love reading your poems, and I hope that you continue to write.

    -CP

  2. Marla on September 22, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    Awesome writing, great analogies. You have a wonderful future as a writer; keep expressing yourself and sharing your work!

  3. Tamara on December 2, 2015 at 3:50 PM

    Very well written. Keep writing my friend!

  4. Reid on January 21, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    This is a very good poem. I agree (with CP) that many factors may lead to jail. DH is being both honest and hard on himself. Maybe a person passes through the understanding of responsibility to recognize the strength is there not to “mope”. But it’s not easy.

  5. Rachael Sandri on February 11, 2016 at 12:29 PM

    DH,

    The imagery you created resonated with me, particularly because of the archetype of elephant. I think of elephants as smart and stable. I also admire your level of self-reflection. You excelled at creating two specific narratives (the elephant’s and then your own) that spoke to a universal truth: we are more powerful than we believe. A thousand thanks for sharing your poem, and please keep writing!

    Your fan,

    Rachael

  6. Elliott Owusu on June 24, 2016 at 2:31 PM

    Very powerful. The amount of self awareness in this piece leaves no doubt in my mind that you DH, have the ability to overcome any obstacle in your path.

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