Philip. thanks for your read and kind comments. The baobab is native to
Africa, in this case The Kruger National Park, and Northern Australia. Cant
think what made you think it was North American.
Chokwani was a prime bull elephant that first moved into the park before the
second world war as a young bull. Most of the prolific herds that now
populate the park and replenish other areas that have depleted stocks of
elephants through poaching etc. have his blood in them, they are of his
genetic stock. He was named after the chief whose land was used for the
park. He died recently under circumstances similar to those described in the
poem. In fact the first line was 'lifted' from the commentary on a film of
his dying.Regards Arthur.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Burton" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: New Sub: Death in th Park
> Dear Arthur,
>
> This is a very spiritual and satisfying poem. It sounds ethnic and I would
> surmise that it is.
>
> I am looking at clues. 'trunks' therefore elephants. baobab is a North
> American tropical tree but probably derives its name from an African
> language. There is savannah, and a tropical tree, North America and
> elephants. I'd love to hear more about this...
>
> - 'dragged his years in behind him' is a great poetic image and contrasts
> well with the movement of the herd that 'drifted', oh, and the 'slow grey
> clouds'.
>
> Philip
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: arthur seeley <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: New Sub: Death in th Park
> >Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 17:59:58 +0100
> >
> > Death in the Park
> >
> >
> >
> >It rained the day Chokwani died,
> >
> >all day and well into the night,
> >
> >bringing new life to the savannah.
> >
> >His herd drifted, slow grey clouds,
> >
> >down towards the swelling river,
> >
> >trunks testing the air, wallowing in the cool.
> >
> >
> >
> >He sought denser bush
> >
> >dragged his years in behind him
> >
> >laid down and wearily breathed the night a while.
> >
> >Later, before dawn, the clouds cleared
> >
> >and a full moon lit the grasslands,
> >
> >the thorn bush and the baobab tree.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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