Saddened curls of the mouth will disguise your heart
the heart of easy gold that brightens only when love
fills you, swells in your chest and stomach and eyes
when joy in the presence of sun stings your lungs
So press the ivory tusks to your fingers
and let the stars light droplets of rain
and if the world disappoints you over and over again
close your eyes for one moment
let the tears fall silently
radiate grief as true as your heart
Today you will rise from the scorched sands beneath your feet
And move past the mirages in the distant east
While the elephant that you love shares for you the comfort and the warmth