Welcome

Hi, my name is Alys Jackson and I'm an author and poet

based in Adelaide, South Australia.

My work has been published in books, magazines,

anthologies and online.

tirath's elephant

Tirath’s Elephant

An elephant is as an elephant does,

tirath's elephantso what does an elephant do?

Slips on a beanie and spotted bikini,

and tiptoes away from the zoo.

 

An elephant is as an elephant dreams,

so what does an elephant dream?tirath's elephant

Of white sandy beaches. Surfboards and peaches.

Of floating away in a stream.

 

An elephant is as an elephant fears,

tirath's elephantso what does an elephant fear?

Fire-breathing ants and carnivorous pants.

A zookeeper creeping too near.

 

An elephant is as an elephant eats,

Tirath's elephantso what does an elephant eat?

Butterfly cupcakes and frozen bee thick shakes.

Mammoth-sized marshmallow treats.

 

An elephant is as an elephant feels,

so what does an elephant feel?

As free as the stars that twinkle round Mars.

The strength of a heart made of steel.

 

An elephant is as an elephant hears,

tirath's elephantso what does an elephant hear?

The screech of a tram, a car door slam.

The sound of a zookeeper’s cheer.

 

An elephant is as an elephant sees,

so what does the elephant see?

tirath's elephantThe zookeeper’s head all sweaty and red.

‘Don’t worry. He’ll never catch me!‘

14 thoughts on “Tirath’s Elephant”

  1. Dear Alys,

    I liked how you said what his elephant is going to do and it is really good😃.

    Ranulaka

    • Thank you, Ranulaka. I do love elephants!! They are such wonderful animals – this was a lot of fun to write. Very silly. Alys 😊

  2. Hi Alys

    I found that poem is super funny and hilarious. And I like elephants too and I selected this poem because it had my friend’s name
    in it.😂😂😂

    Dinidu

    • Hi Dinidu, I’m happy that the poem made you laugh. Tirath sure does love elephants – and why not? Elephants are such wonderful animals. Alys 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

  3. Hi Alys,
    I love this poem it had a great rhythm and it also made me laugh and not much things actually make me laugh. Even though no one knows elephants are actually one of my favourite animals and they are very important to Sri Lanka. This poem had really funny rhymes and is probably one of my favourite poems you’ve written.

    • I’m so glad you liked this poem, Tiaana. Elephants are such intelligent and gentle creatures. I have always loved them, too. 🐘🐘🐘 I really hope that one day I get to see Sri Lanka. It sounds beautiful. Alys

  4. Hi Alys,
    I love reading your poems especially this one ,it was hilarious. Were did you get the idea of writing about elephants?
    This poem really made me smile.

    Japleen

    • Hi Japleen. It was Tirath’s idea. He loves elephants as do I. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It took me a long time to finish. Alys

    • It was fun to write, Vinuk. Writing poems lets you really use your imagination and see things differently. Alys 🐘🐘🐘🐘

  6. Dear Alys,
    This poem was hilarious and it was a fun one to read. Elephants are one of my favourite animals and they hold quite a level of importance in Sri Lanka and are greatly valued. The whole concept of the things that elephants do has been created in a great way through the use of rhyme which helps the poem flow steadily. Overall, great poem and I would love to hear more poems about more animals. Maybe an echidna. I find them quite funny little animals and I even spotted one in my backyard waddling around. I feel that these dangerous but cute creatures are quite fascinating.

    Continue the great work!

    • Aww, what lovely comments, Chomilka. I think most cultures value and respect elephants. They are such beautiful and intelligent animals. I must admit, I went a little silly with this poem. It was fun writing too, though it took a long time!! I like the idea of writing a poem about an echidna. I will have to put my thinking cap on 😃 Alys

  7. Dear Alys,
    Thank you for naming this loveely poem after me and it is so kind of you to dedicating it to me. When I read, I felt so special.
    I love this poem so much.😂😂😂 I like the way you have done about what elephants do. This poem was fantastic.👍👍👍 and also very funny.😂👍😂 You made my day my posting this. Thanks a lot.

    Reards TIRATH

    • Glad you liked it Tirath! It was lots of fun writing a poem about elephants but goodness me it took a long time, didn’t it?! Elephants are very special animals, so I understand why you love them so much. And congratulations on graduating from the Children’s University! Wow. What an amazing ceremony.🎓🎓🎓🎓🏆🏆🎪🎶 Alys

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