the smallest sumatran

after
a new elephant walks
aptly as infant mammalia
arrive in self-awareness
eager with teeth and tusks
digging earth
and automatic heaviness
transporting robust grace
under her mother
over another
grazing
bathing
in an estuary zoo
to zimbabwe
and the smallest sumatran
in circus
warfare
sri lanka bulk
jaipur mud sun
grey forest and grassland
exposed soles
lie down
injured unless indian
crush watermelon
on a four-pendulum gait
always one foot on the ground
without aerial phases
marked by grief and making music
the art of altruism, and allomothering
play
use of tools
compassion
bellow roar and trumpet
across the alps
in high-quality captivity
keepers
handlers
teenagers attack
in an unexpected bout of rage