Roberta Writes – Song parody for d’Verse Open Link Night #d’Verse #elephants #poetry #art

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Lillian is hosting Open Link Night and dVerse LIVE today, Saturday!

SATURDAY
Join us on Saturday, August 17th from 10 to 11 AM, New York time. Click on the link below to join us LIVE, with audio and video! Share a poem aloud, or sit in just to listen. Either way, it’s fun to see folks from around the globe who all enjoy the power of words and the enjoyment of poetry. The more the merrier!

https://meet.google.com/yik-pjtc-hgt

Lillian gave this lovely ekphrastic prompt.

Do not ask why my mind went were it did. I have no explanation other than I’m getting ready for another trip into the bush at the end of the month.

You can join in Lillian’s prompt here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/08/15/open-link-night-today-with-option-to-join-us-live-on-saturday/

You can read Lillian’s beautiful poem here: https://lillianthehomepoet.com/2024/08/15/meandering/

Elephant Scare – A song parody

Elephant scare

Life plays tricks; it’s so very unfair

The picture was gorgeous

No-one said you must be cautious

The bush is wild

And humans have the natural world defiled

Oh dear, elephant scare

Nothing for this outcome could you prepare

***

Among the trees

The elephants cower, filled with unease

The matriarch you didn’t even see

Her alarm the outcome did guarantee

***

Elephant scare

Why weren’t you warned? How were you so unaware?

She charged, the car rolled

She trampled, actions uncontrolled

***

Elephant scare

The carnage a scene of total despair

Elephant scare

Nothing sudden death can repair

***

Among the trees

The elephants cower, filled with unease

The matriarch you didn’t even see

Her alarm the outcome did guarantee

***

Elephant scare

Why weren’t you warned? How were you so unaware?

She charged, the car rolled

She trampled, actions uncontrolled

This is a parody of Enola Gay which you can listen to here:

My song parody is based on an incident earlier this year when an elephant attacked a vehicle full of tourists. Just to be clear, the guide in this case was attempting to protect the boma (building with a roof and open sides) at the look out point which was full of people. Elephants are not sweet and gentle. Elephants are powerful wild animals that must be treated with respect and caution.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=919182086611654

Okay, now that I’ve scared you to death about elephants, we can have a virtual elephant tour.

Picture caption: Elephant feeding – this was during the winter which is why its so dry (Madikwe is a semi desert area)
Picture caption: This is in the Waterberg. An elephant peeping behind a bush. He was a very big guy
Picture caption: Younger elephant. This picture is also taken at Madikwe but in January (our summer when it rains)

This is one of my favourite YT shorts featuring elephants:

I also like this video. It’s a bit wobbly because it was my first time filming with my new camera, but I love the colours of autumn:

Picture caption: My painting (watercolour and acrylic) of the elephant in the puddle (first video)
Picture caption: My charcoal drawing of a baby elephant nestling into mom
Picture caption: This is called Tempestuous and features an elephant family against a pre-storm sky in oil pastels
Picture caption: this is called Twilight and features a lone elephant against an evening sky

Michael’s art

Picture caption: Michael’s charcoal elephant. I think I influence his art – haha!
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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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117 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Song parody for d’Verse Open Link Night #d’Verse #elephants #poetry #art”

  3. That’s a powerful elephant poem that goes well with the music video. I love your paintings and Michael’s too. They literally made my hairs stand after reading the poem. The photos and elephant videos were great too and Lillian’s poem was beautiful.

    Tourists take many stupid risks. When we visited Yellowstone a ranger told us that earlier that summer someone had placed their three year old on the back of a bison/buffalo so that he could take a photo of his son sitting on the buffalo. The bison charged and gorged the photographer who unfortunately died. The little boy was fine.

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    1. Hi Thomas, what a tragic tale of ignorance about animals 😢. People are repeatedly warned when they go to animal reserves but they don’t always listen. Of course, it can go the other way and some people become terrified. I am most wary of elephants. They are unpredictable. I love wildlife 🤗

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  4. People never cease to amaze me their stupidy knows no bounds we were visiting a place where there were lots of monkeys …there was young guy tormenting one of them with food..One of our group when the said monkey approached us offered food… the monkey went for Spencers dad’s arm and caused so much damage he had a couple operations and a long hospital stay all because one young lad teased a monkey badly with food and the result was someone else copped the monkeys fury,,so an innocent monkey plus an innocent tourist were both victims of this lads fun because thats probably what he thought it was with no thought for anything that may occur…A powerful poem Robbie and good choice of music I must say Michael has a talen(as)do you for art a lovely post and yes we have to remeber that animals big or small if not pets are wild animals…x

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      1. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen often here there may be a few signs and thats it..you do have be careful but it doesn’t stop people being idiots and they can because nobody stops them…

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  10. I love elephants,, and am astounded that they are treated so abysmally by humans. They are such beautiful, loving creatures, intelligent and trusting. But I’m not surprised a mother charged at a car infringing on her and her infant’s territory.

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  11. Great descriptive song parody, Roberta, and fantastic pictures. It all reminds of an article I read about elephants being aggressive and destroying property. The article said that it was more likely after elephants ate a bunch of fermented fruit.

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    1. HI Tim, from what I understand, based on research, the idea of elephants getting drunk on amarula fruit is a myth. Elephants can be very aggressive and they are territorial. When the males are in musth, they are very aggressive and unpredictable. Female elephants are very protective of their young and will attach any potential threat. Of all animals, elephants are the ones I am most cautious about. Although it is hippos that kill the most people in Africa on an annual basis. I read about 500 people a year are killed by hippos.

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    1. Hi Diana, although I do agree that a lot of humans are terrible to animals, especially people who poach or hunt, these sorts of accidents are largely the result of ignorance by tourists which is a great shame. I have actually made hubby leave a sighting because of the behaviour of other people which I deem unsafe.

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  13. Don’t know where to begin with my comment……I love the poem…the repetition….and sadly, I remember this story in the news of the elephant who charged the tourists. I’m also reminded of the elephant encounter between, at the time, the yet-to-be-queen-Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in Africa, as dramatized in The Crown. And then….all the incredible art. You are indeed multi-talented. The paintings and drawings are fabulous! And then….to see a video you took and realize you were actually by the elephants! What an experience!!!! Thank you for sharing all of this at dVerse today!!!

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    1. Hi Lillian, thank you for your lovely comments here and during the meeting today. I am delighted you enjoyed my artworks. I mainly paint and drawn African animals. I am, indeed, very fortunate to be able to visit the bush fairly often and I am a wildlife photographer in my spare time, so I take a lot of photographs and videos. I am going to Madikwe again at the end of August. Winter is a good time to see game as the foliage is thin. This poem just came to me when I looked at your picture. It reminded me of the trees around the boma where the people were sitting when the elephant tried to crash through. The guide was very brave.

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    1. Hi Timothy, I know this song by OMD because of its theme. Enola Gay was just so poignant and meaningful. I do like the video and think it was excellent for its time. This idea just came when I looked at the photograph prompt. I remembered this attack at the Pilanesburg. So frightening watching it happen although this is not my video. It is from my Elephant group on FB.

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    1. HI Jan, you are right. Elephants are intelligent. They are territorial and will protect their young to the death. The males are very aggressive when they are in musth. Water buffaloes, we call them hippos, are very dangerous. The most dangerous animal in Africa. I’m delighted you enjoyed the artworks.

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  19. I first discovered OMD back in the early eighties. Enola Gay is about the bombing of Hiroshima.

    I’m sorry Robbie but I fail to see the connection between elephants and the bombing?

    Love your art work as usual and hope you get great shots on your next outing.

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    1. Hi Wayne, yes, Enola Gay is about that horrific bombing. I’ve watched limited footage about Hiroshima, it is just to dreadful to watch. There is no connection between the words of Enola Gay and my poem, it is the rhythm that I matched to the tune of Enola Gay. I effectively replaced the words with my own words.

      I’m so pleased you like my elephants. I am so looking forward to the forthcoming getaway.

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  20. We had had several instances of people being attacked by Buffalo and Bears in the western US…ALWAYS a result of the animal being provoked by an idiot…lov your poem and photos – plus more stunning art too – bravo Robbie!

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    1. Hi John, I can believe that. People are very ignorant about wild animals as they don’t have contact with them. A lot of people think elephants are cute like Dumbo. I’m delighted you enjoyed this post, John. Makikwe is my favourite reserve in SA.

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      1. We are starting to plan our safari adventure for next summer…talking to a company that specializes in them called “Africa Odyssey”..being int he US, it’s the best way for us to plan something that will be an epic adventure for us!

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  23. I liked the parody song. Maybe fitting that it was set to music about the first atomic bomb used on people (actually the aircraft that carried that first bomb). Yes, wildlife needs to be respected, and if it weighs a couple of tons?

    The artwork is great. There is something a little scary about Michael’s picture. Must be the same elephant as the “elephant scare” one…

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  24. I must admit I’m ambivalent about treating animals like tourist attractions. I would not like elephants walking through my home staring and taking photos of me and my family. I would be angry and defensive too.

    That said, your poem is well done and the art too. I like the moodiness of Michael’s drawing, and your charcoal drawing. (K)

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    1. HI Kerfe, while I understand your position with regards to wild animals being treated as tourist attractions, I am realistic enough to know that their monetary value is the only reason they survive. If they didn’t make money for African governments, the reserves would not exist, and we would have no animals. Visitors need to do some research and listen to instructions. I am sure people are versed on the risks of activities like bungy jumping and other similar adventures so why do they think instruction isn’t necessary for viewing wildlife. All of these incidents are due to people either driving far too close to the animals and upsetting them or getting out of their cars to go and pat the elephant.

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      1. I get it. Everything we do now is bad for our world, it seems, even the things that are attempts to save it. What we need are better governments and better people to elect and live with them.

        Also, in my experience most people do not prepare for things at all. Risk never even enters into their thinking.

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  25. Elephants are impressive animals, but so often stories about them involve their deaths by poachers. Like one of the other commenters, I’m of mixed minds about them being turned into tourist attractions, but at least they’re alive.

    I like your picture of the elephant family best, as well as Michael’s nuanced one.

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    1. Hi Audrey, I think the reserves are a good thing and they bring a lot of money into Africa which ensures the survival of these animals. If they have no monetary value, they would be unlikely to survive in this modern world of consumerism and grabbiness. However, ignorance of animal behaviour is the reason for these attacks usually and that can be prevented through visitors simply listening to instructions. For some reason, people think it can never happen to them.

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    1. Hi Donna, ignorance about wildlife creates problems in the tourist industry and impacts negatively on our country. The animals are blamed for the mistakes of the people. I understand the authorities are looking at disallowing self-driving in some parks and I think that will be a good thing.

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  31. Lovely photos and gorgeous art. I love the ones with the elephants in silhouette, but also your son’s artwork at the end. It’s very potent imagery that show how regal elephants are.

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  35. Your imagination did take a left turn from the prompt, Robbie. Lol. But what a poem/parody. That sounds pretty frightening. Sometimes tourists aren’t very smart about wild animals and tragedies ensue. The videos were welcome and, of course, your artwork is stunning. And Michael’s too. He got your creative genes. 🙂

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  36. I read this a second time – singing along to the tune of Enola Gay – what a great idea! The tone of the song is picked up in your poem – and once more, great paintings! Do you prefer Roberta or Robbie amongst friends?

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    1. Hi Andrew, I am so pleased you enjoyed this song parody. I enjoy writing them. I am painting another elephant – I really like elephants! Most people call me Robbie. I just liked Roberta Writes better than Robbie Writes, it had a better rhythm. Thanks for visiting.

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  37. Amazing footage! And I love your charcoal drawings especially. What a scary tale that was! They’re certainly not docile if they’re a mother protecting their family! I hope both elephants and people were okay after the incident 🩷

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