Comment from ragamuffin

Excellent

It's an interesting topic and thought. It does bring to light how so many animals are used, abused, then tossed aside. Well depicts the elephant as the living, feeling entity it is.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Many thanks, Ragamffin, for your kind review! There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely. That is one of the reasons my daughter was up there.

Comment from JonnyRhymes

Exceptional

Here you really illuminate the dreadful existence experienced by elephants in captivity. You enable the reader to empathize powerfully with the elephant. Your poem is a reminder to us to think twice before the next time we go on an elephant ride whilst on holiday. I think your references to Ganesh are also a nice touch.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Thanks, Jonny, for your empathetic review and six-star rating. There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely.

Comment from allborn66

Excellent

This is a very interesting poem. You created a sad and desperate tone. The use of the form is good. The word choice is strong.
Barbara

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Many thanks for your kind review, Barbara.

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Superb again. A great subject matter. I never thought of an elephant ride as a humiliation to these beautiful big eared animals. Good use of the heavy "D" sound to echo the weight of these beasts.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Thanks, Spitfire, for your empathetic review. There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely.

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Superb again. A great subject matter. I never thought of an elephant ride as a humiliation to these beautiful big eared animals. Good use of the heavy "D" sound to echo the weight of these beasts.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Thanks, Spitfire, for your empathetic review. There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely.

Comment from tbacha58

Excellent

Ganesh the god must shed a tear
At what dire cost our tourist ride
Her wistful eye so full of fear
The elephant sways side to side

Here comes our teacher with another amazing poem. The picture goes perfectly of course with your poem. Great pen.Bless you Terry

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Many thanks again, Terry, for a most affirming review! This flattery is going straight to my head, you know!

Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

Such a sad pantoum. Imagine roaming the Savannah only to find yourself crushed in a cage, broken to give rides to fat tourists. And they do remember. Elephants are extremely intelligent, social animals who are aware of their mortality and mourn their dead. Really like your invocation of Ganesh.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Thanks, Ravenblack, for your empathetic review. There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely.

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

The mistreatment of animals, especially elephants, in some carnivals and circuses is appalling. Chained 24/7, these normally docile creatures are often turned into savages because of it. We've all seen horrific videos and images of elephants rampaging though a crowd.

Your thought provoking pantoum illustrates precisely some of the reasons why there things occur.

Good write, Tony...

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Thanks, Dean, for your empathetic review and kind comments. There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely.

reply by Dean Kuch on 21-Oct-2013

Anytime...

Comment from livelylinda

Excellent

tfawcus: I love the feel of repeated lines in a pantoum poem; gives it such a natural sway. Poor the fate of our large mammal, the elephant, born to roam freely. I've never written one of these but love to read them. Good write, here. livelylinda

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Thanks, Linda, for your empathetic review. There is some great work being done in elephant sanctuaries up in Thailand but until the mass of visiting tourists transfer their allegiance to these the almighty tourist dollar will continue to sustain the elephant trekking business. It is a matter of re-education largely.

Comment from amada

Excellent

I like the pantoum style. Those repeating lines bring out sort of an echo, a beautiful thing. "The elephant sways side to side..." Lovely.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2013

Many thanks for your beautiful review and kind comments, Amada.