The Last Elephant in the Herd
Ponderous-wonderous, I slowly walk and graze
My wrinkled legs dusty grey, my trunk raised in a wave
Slowly-Roly, with heavy steps I sway,
nomad of the grasslands, browsing all the way.
Lightly-brightly, the sun beams on my back
it throws a single shadow, in many shades of black.
Only-lonely, my herd’s been decimated
the threats we faced were human-made and not anticipated.
Whisky-frisky, my tail slaps swarming flies,
not reaching far enough to wipe teardrops from my eyes.
Snappy-trappy look out for poacher’s snares,
dreaming of times long ago when we hadn’t any cares.
Nightly-sprightly we marched in single file,
following the leader mile after dusky mile.
So-slow-solo, my giant limbs I lumber
seeking other elephants, to be one amongst their number.
My wrinkled legs dusty grey, my trunk raised in a wave
Slowly-Roly, with heavy steps I sway,
nomad of the grasslands, browsing all the way.
Lightly-brightly, the sun beams on my back
it throws a single shadow, in many shades of black.
Only-lonely, my herd’s been decimated
the threats we faced were human-made and not anticipated.
Whisky-frisky, my tail slaps swarming flies,
not reaching far enough to wipe teardrops from my eyes.
Snappy-trappy look out for poacher’s snares,
dreaming of times long ago when we hadn’t any cares.
Nightly-sprightly we marched in single file,
following the leader mile after dusky mile.
So-slow-solo, my giant limbs I lumber
seeking other elephants, to be one amongst their number.
This poem is copyright (©) Kit Weston 2026
About the Writer
Kit Weston
Former primary teacher and school librarian, Kit is an enthusiastic reader and creative writer, who runs poetry workshops for children. Living in The Garden of England, she takes inspiration from everything – though the natural world and the children she is privileged to teach do feature. Her poetry has appeared here (The Dirigible Balloon), Parakeet Magazine and has been used in schools from Tonbridge to Bristol! One of her poems has recently been translated into Croatian on behalf of JAR a Juvenile Arthritis Research charity, very close to her heart! You can find her @Kit_weston1.
