A young elephant can die
of a broken heart
should his mother leave.
I was an elephant once
just for a time.
Then I stood up,
tusk and trunk,
like she taught me –
stepped onto the prairie;
dry eyes drinking the dawn.
Ryan Stone
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days of stone 
I need to read it backwards, right?
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You can read it any way you choose 🙂
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Even better!!!!! Ha
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Unsure why I like this so much 🙂
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Haha, I think that’s a compliment 😉
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Undoubtedly
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Thank you 🙂
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Beautiful, Ryan – with a sad, deeper meaning it seems. The painting is beautiful as well, with an unsettling separation between the two.
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Just what I was after. Thank you so much, Kelly 🙂
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You’re welcome! Glad I got it right 🙂
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Hi Ryan, is this an edit of a previous poem? I seem to remember the line “dry eyes drinking the dawn” coming last before – I think the reason I remembered it was because I found that such a poignant, beautiful and effective ending. But this version is still pretty as well 🙂
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Hello stranger 🙂 Yes-an edit on some advice. I’m still not sure which version I prefer… Hope you’re well – keep those corny jokes coming 😉
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Haha, thanks my friend. Will do! 😉
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Beautiful work, Ryan! You must have edited this. :] So good!
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Lovely!
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Thank you 🙂
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Beautiful, Ryan.
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Thank you, Sarah 🙂
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This is so beautiful Ryan, and it is true, elephants can be heartbroken…lovely image too ❤
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As always your nice comments bring a smile to my day 🙂 Thank you so much, my friend.
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Thank you my dear I am happy that I can bring a smile… 🙂
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Hi Ryan I am not sure if you accept Bloggers Awards I nominated you for my Starlight Blogger Award! ❤
http://yesterdayafter.com/2015/10/22/starlight-blogger-award-and-a-special-thanks-to-many/
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Beautiful. Sorry I’ve been away so long. I’ve missed your work.
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Thank you for such nice comments. I’ve been away too and I’m looking forward to catching up on your writing 🙂
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Oh my.. let’s see. The title is an intriguing alliteration awakening thirst in reader’s mind.
The poem is structured in a very skillful way. The breaking of the lines, and separation of the stanzas provides a platform for the drifting apart imagery to settle. The choice of the animal shows your knowledge on the fact that elephants do not forget easily. No matter what, the little one, will still remember the pain of separation.
The painting brings such another dimension to the poem.
poetry, painting…Is there anything you cannot do??
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Take compliments without blushing 😳
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🙂 love your quick wit!
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This brings out the maternal side of me. You’ve captured the essence of our time on this planet, so incredibly well in so few lines. You have allowed the reader to adapt your words to any meaning as they see fit. Beautiful.
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Thank you for your visit and for taking the time to leave such considerate feedback – it makes the writing worthwhile 🙂
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Separation is sad but oft times a part of life. I imagine the anxiety and sense of loss when a mother leaves is the same across many species. I remember reading this one before. Beautiful poetry and painting, my friend.
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Thanks, Thomas. I was playing around with the scheduling function and accidentally reposted it. I like this one a lot, so I’ll let it stay for now.
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You are welcome, Ryan. It is a great piece – worthy of a repost 🙂
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Appealing because mysterious. Is it about empathy or aren’t you telling?
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I wrote it for a friend dealing with the death of his mother – using the strength she’d instilled to rise up and face the new dawn…
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And thank you for taking the time to ask 🙂
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beautiful poem, very moving. My condolences to your friend. My friend lost her mother at the beginning of this year.
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Thank you, Melinda. That’s very kind of you. I hope your friend is coping…mothers have such a special place in the world.
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You’re welcome. I hope so too; I haven’t seen nor been able to catch her on the phone.
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“Mothers have such a special place in the world.” Damn right! Thank you for that declaration. Beautiful piece 🙂
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This is such a darling piece.. where is the ❤ button? 😀
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The?
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ahh, the heart did not come out 😀
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This is one of my favorite pieces. I’ve remembered this piece since I first read it. It’s mind blowing. 🙂
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Very nice of you to grace me with a second lot of feedback, Carisa. Thank you! I was playing with scheduling and accidentally reposted it!
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Awe, we were graced with your mistake 🙂
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Youve got a great collectiom of words out here.
You might wanna check mine….if possible.
https://mahekmithare.wordpress.com/
:’)
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Very cool comment, thank you! I might just do that 🙂
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