Content warning
This story may contain sensitive material or discuss topics that some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised. The views and opinions expressed in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Vocal.
just another "payday"
poem. Like...Content Warning for so many reasons.
You know sometimes when you go for a job interview
they give you problem-solving exercises to complete
as a way of evaluating your lateral thinking,
your understanding, empathy, and thoughtfulness
if you can work well as a team or on your own initiative
well...
have you ever thought much about the sheer effort it takes to move a dead elephant from a zoo or animal reserve? As is the way with these types of questions, you're now thinking of nothing else.
imagine being involved in the process,
in fact,
imagine being involved in the process the first time it was ever considered.
no technological advancements to help you
it's a brand-new procedure
you've been given the responsibility of making it happen.
you're faced with the mountainous, or elephantous task
have no access to anecdotal evidence
about the shifting of other large mammals.
what's the first question that comes to your mind next?
-
does the elephant need to be moved in one piece?
well unless it's required for some testing or analysis and needs to be intact, no.
so, now your problem has transformed
from moving an African Elephant that has fallen in death among its compatriots, to hacking the African Elephant into smaller, easier to manage chunks.
now, how do you cut an elephant into chunks, without saturating everything in the blood and entrails of the enormous, elegant, expired elephant?
piece by piece, chunk by chunk?
electric saw for the bones?
such a mighty beast
such a fitting feast
for the rich and feckless
the upper crust and thoughtless
who felled the mammal
translated descriptions
in languages like Tamil
package it
for buyers around the world
save the ivory from the tusks
for the richest, the reprehensible
how can you live with yourself once you process the lifeless chunks of a might mammal?
I wonder if anyone... just one poacher...
stops for a moment to pay their respects,
to give the mighty an appropriate send-off.
or is it
just another "job", another "payday"?
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Another SoC piece, following my off-the-wall Paint Me and Venit Vidit Vicit, that took a weird, sad, angry turn while I was writing it.
Here are some other things...
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Scottish-Italian poet/writer from Glasgow.
Overflowing in English language torture and word abuse.
"Every man has a sane spot somewhere" R.L Stevenson
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection is now available!
https://paulspoeticprints.etsy.com
Comments (13)
Naturally, I started off thinking of Auckland zoo’s elderly elephant which died a few weeks before our visit 😢… Excellent, but sad conclusion & query: ‘ I wonder if anyone... just one poacher... stops for a moment to pay their respects, to give the mighty an appropriate send-off. or is it just another "job", another "payday"?’ I loathe violence… especially senseless, selfish, deliberate instances like this. Very effective piece.✅
Whoa!!! It's amazing how the ending changed my emotions from shocking to anger. Such a crazy situation to tackle, one that most of us have never placed ourselves in. Well done, Paul.
Such a difficult and tragic subject- handled thoughtfully. Thank you for this, Paul <3
See, despite the content warning, I thought it was gonna be a funny poem as I started reading. Then it got sad because you know how I feel about animal death. Then you mentioned blood and that was my lifeline. I started imagining that this was about a human and I got through perfectly fine hehehehe
Glad to read that. Thank you.
Uh. This was too good. First I was there, trying to solve the problem. Then I got sad, then really, really angry. Excellent work.
If anyone on Vocal has the capacity to regularly veer into fresh territory to wow me, it’s you Paul! Really excellent attack on an absolutely senseless and deplorable waste.
GREAT STORY!
This made me so angry and sad. And also thinking about the practicality of how to solve that problem, geez. Great stuff!
Your adjective choice is impeccable here Paul!! Amazing work!
Oh man, zoo animal disposure and dismembering are similar to Mafioso criminal minds. Being an animal lover I know elephants have good memories and their brother being mutilated would lead to serious ramifications. I am more of a litter box cleaner.
This was incredibly intense and appropriately uncomfortable. Great poem and even better social commentary!
Great story Paul! I loved it.