A Wise Elephant

We met an Elephant at the zoo

And I asked, “How big are you?

What is your shoe size?

How wide are your eyes?

Oh, please, will you inform us?”

“Now let me see!” the Elephant said -

With her trunk she scratched her head –

“As a matter of fact

I can’t be exact –

You think I am enormous?”

“Of course! I can see that!” I replied

Our Elephant hadn’t lied!

“How long are your years?

How big are your ears?”

I was really getting quite frantic!

“Now let me think!” said our Elephant,

“I don’t want to be irrelevant.

I’m really not sure

Why you should want more –

You reckon they’re gigantic?”

“Well of course I do – everyone does!

I’m not stupid just because

I ask for the metres

Of your various features –

They’re interesting after all!”

“All right! If the truth will meet your needs

I am one of the tiniest seeds

That the Universe

And the Heavens disperse . . .

Look! I’m incredibly small!”