Sacred Elephants

"An Elephant Never Forgets" by Beverleigh Annegarn

Note from Jaya: I thought you'd like this poem from my South African friend Bev, illustrated by one of the photos I took on safari in Kenya.

Photo ©2005 Jaya Savannah.

Botswana I

An Elephant Never Forgets
by Beverleigh Gail Annegarn
 

Softly padded, oval footprints

sketch matriarchal steps.

She is fearless, large;

with swift stillness, 

she moves closer. 

Her ears flapping

‘to keep her cool’.

 

Once a vehicle

of flashing cameras

distressed her family;

she trampled over grasslands

breaking and tearing 

blameless trees.

 

She trumpets -

visitors warned.

Copyright 2006 Beverleigh Gail Annegarn

Love of a Matriarch

Photo ©2007 Jaya Savannah.

Upon waking, there are still tears in my sleepy eyes.

I hear gentle September rains, but the ground is dry.
My heart is swollen from dreams of connection and loss.

I was leaving a war-torn place when she nestled into my arms, wrapping her trunk around me, wanting my protection. Please take me with you. Hold me. Love me. With the love of a matriarch, I held her tight to my bosom. Welcoming. Merging. Fully met in the moment. Two hearts becoming one.

Awaking to emptiness.
Missing a profound love.
Wondering what it all means.

A stranger calls. Fragile. Motherless. Seeking.
I am there for her.

I Love Elephants

Note from Jaya: My friend Arline, wrote a blog post called, "I love" that really inspired me. Loving is exponential. Here are some of the many things that I love.

I love African elephant ears when they flap.
I love waking up to elephant rumbles outside my tent.
I love curious elephant babies peeking out from under mom.
I love that elephants get so excited during greetings that they pee.
I love that elephants have a sense of humor and are playful.
I love that elephants are compassionate.
I love that elephants have an awareness of death and mourning.
I love watching elephants play in the mud.
I love that elephants can swim in the sea.
I love when little Rapsu, an elephant orphan, insisted on suckling my hand.
I love how I can't control the tears that come when I think of elephants.
I love that I visit the elephants in dreams.
I love that Ganesh is my protector, who heals me, and loves my adoration.
I love that God gave me a special calling, one I never anticipated.
I love all my elephant-loving friends and conservationists--both known to me, and the ones I have yet to meet.

Now tell me. What do you love about elephants? I want to know.

Lessons from Ganesh: Forgiveness

You stand here unveiled, yet still fettered by that heavy chain. Ask yourself, what is the source of this misery? You will find the weight of still needing some small approval in order to be free. Come. Feel deep into the heart of being where the sadness meets your love. Your compassion is your healer.

Lessons from Ganesh: Be Still

Be still my little one. You are racing like a rabbit. Let the tears come. They are filling you up inside. When you are empty, I will bring you fresh water. Be still, but wait for no man. I will come and show you the way. Now hush, and be still.

Lessons from Ganesh: Universal Flow

Ganesh is always lavish and abundant, reminding me that Universal flow is a *good* thing. My needs are always met in this moment or the next. I need to relax more and worry less about the comings and goings of the world. I'm protected and I am loved.

Sri Ganesh, Sweet and Fierce

Sweet Ganesh, supreme lord of consciousness and source of all bliss, I bow to you. Thank you for blessing my path with juicy fruits and such beautifully fragrant and delicate blossoms. Gratitude washes over me as I offer my hands in service to your love, devotion, and infinite wisdom.

Fierce Ganesh, slayer of all obstacles and source of kundalini fire, I bow to you. Thank you for igniting my true path and burning the bridges of illusion behind me. I am awestruck and humbled by your fearlessness. I surrender to the mystery and mercy of your absolute judgment.

Om Gung Ganapathaye Namah