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African Dream An elephant leads me beside the watering hole, I watch her and her herd refresh themselves. I hide in the trees as they play, spraying water into the air, Sharing the joy of simply being. I dream of her roaming the savanna, She waves her ears create a cooling breeze. She is intelligent, Wise beyond the 90-years Mother Earth has granted her. Lately, I have seen animals in other environs turning to humans for help: The humpback whale, the seal, the orca, the polar bear. The polar bear, a symbol of strength, that surpasses our own. The polar bear, whom we have hunted, until it teeters on the edge of extinction, yet still, The mama bear comes to us— her afterbirth not healing, fearful, seeking protection for her cubs. In Canada, elk stop cars on highways, Ask for help, rescue others trapped in deep muddy pits Caused by our actions. Permafrost thaws by climate chaznge. Turns the fragile habitat into something unrecognizable. Wildlife comes to us, desperate for help We have caused the damage. Do elephants come to us? I watched a flick of an elephant, enraged, As tourists approached. I cannot blame him. The huge bull, angered, threatened the tourists, Advancing again and again. The guide moved his truck between humans and behemoth, The bull lifted the truck and threw it aside. I cannot blame him, Yet, the angry bull does not visit my dreams. The wise elephant does. She comes to me at night, Leads me through the forest. I do not ride on her; I will not hurt her. My dreams are peaceful, A shared quiet understanding. She waves her trunk at me, As if to say, “Stay!” I hunker down in the underbrush, Watch as she joins her calves, Shows me the beauty of a new generation— The expanding herd. When I awake, The imprint of the savanna remains in my mind. I feel the peace and tranquility of the wise elephant. She deserves peace between us. I must give it back. This is my African dream. Kit Minden