the Indian elephant

The Indian elephant


I knew of an Indian elephant who worked at a circus
on an act where unhappy animals sit up and beg
and sad clowns who know they are pathetic dance
one day, the elephant stopped the act, addressed
the public
why is it that the rich pay no tax but have a choice
of food to eat and do not help the poor
out of poverty
I, he said, pointing at himself, get paid green bananas
and stale bread. not good for my digestion
I blame the capitalist system,
When the authorities heard of this, they asked if
he had a working permit, but the circus owner didn't want any problems, so the elephant
was fired
The obedient press told lies about him, an angry
the mob chased him out of town.
He took up living between two carob trees and
since no one expected to see an elephant there
no one saw him.
My best friend, a dissolute labor leader, and I
often sit on the elephant's back and play poker
the ex-labor leader knows how to negotiate
wins, the elephant is happy he is free,
eats yellow bananas and snacks on olive leaves.