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Beast of Burden

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Trumpeting sounds of elephants Pleasant rides, tricks, and children’s chants In a place called Thailandia The tourists come from Sandia They visit their uncles and aunts Ride the bulls, play, touch, watch them paint Unaware of treatment, restraint A few people saw the dark side The brutal industry must hide You are led into tours quite quaint Taken away from her mother, Trained to toil for another Enslaved as a beast of burden Sweet baby calf called Lily Len White as milk, she’s like no other Len’s father, a combat hero And although she would never know He, equipped with iron armor, Knee pads, and sounds of drums of war Strongest was he, true warrior In colorful costume adorned For royals to ride she was born Her spine aches, he is too much weight Len resigned to this awful fate Between two worlds she is now torn Crying for a hopeful sign Recalls Airvata the divine He, the legend water child Len prays to him so beguiled And in her sleep their souls align Airvata reaches down with his trunk To the underworld she’d been sunk Sucked up and sprays her in a cloud Awakened she feels safe and proud Happily sprayed with muddy gunk Separated at birth, now three Len is saved, taken to Nuwee A lovely rainforest in Lanark Near a river, Phant’s Nature Park Where she washes, where she roams free dedicated to Len Gasun POEM OF THE WEEK June 17, 2022

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 8/14/2022 6:51:00 AM

I love this tale Anaya. I came back to read it again. Cruelty, being saved by a king/god, compassion, freedom. Just perfect! Linda

I Am Anaya
Date: 9/13/2022 12:33:00 PM

Hi Linda, thanks again! ;)

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 7/1/2022 11:48:00 AM

A beautiful story well-told with imagination and compassion. :) Linda

I Am Anaya
Date: 7/1/2022 6:27:00 PM

I am honored for your read and comments Linda! :)

Karen Jones

Date: 6/25/2022 2:41:00 PM

I love that Len is happy what a wonderful potw!

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/30/2022 11:45:00 AM

Thank you, Karen. It breaks my heart that elephants and other farm animals are used and mistreated Karen, thank you for your read! ~ Anaya

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/24/2022 7:48:00 AM

Dear I Am Anaya, your soulful poem reaches deep into a soft heart that morns the misery of innocents suffering at the brutal hands of power and greed. I adore how Airvata comes into your poem! It's an awful irony that an animal that is so revered is also so abused! Congratulations for POTW recognition, such a worthy choice! If mankind can be so cruel to animals, what hope is there for the human race? For the cruelty of the dominant runs rampant among weaker peoples. Where is the human heart, where is compassion for all; humans, animals, the Earth? Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/24/2022 6:54:00 PM

Thank you for your thoughts and comments, Susan! The best predictor of growing into a cruel adult, is a child who abuses animals, we must teach them to respect the precious animals. I am honored for your visit. Best ~I Am Anaya

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 6/22/2022 8:54:00 PM

Hi Anaya! Congrats on POTW. Thank you for using your gift of poetry writing to address cruelty to elephants. People are so mean to them. I’m glad there was a happier ending for Len, though.

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/24/2022 6:43:00 PM

Hi Jennifer, thank you kindly. I appreciate your wonderful thoughts! Best ~ I Am Anaya

Karen Jones

Date: 6/20/2022 6:34:00 AM

Congrats on your unique potw!

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/20/2022 7:06:00 AM

Thank you, Karen, I am taken aback by the POTW honor and enjoying in awe. Have a great day!

Susan Lawrence

Date: 6/20/2022 6:13:00 AM

Just Beautiful Anaya . Thank you for shedding light so eloquently on this tragic reality . I love Airvata the divine coming to her rescue ! Congratulations on POTW ! Blessings, Susan :)

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/20/2022 7:05:00 AM

Thank you, Susan, your visit is a real honor, I am glad you enjoyed. I'm taken aback by POTW honor. Have a beautiful day!

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 6/19/2022 2:20:00 PM

It’s so sad for animals like Len to be captured and used in such brutal ways. That Len was saved and now roams free is absolutely wonderful. A well deserved poem of the week Anaya, congratulations… Belle

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 7:12:00 PM

It is sad. Thank you, Belle, I appreciate it. I'm taken aback and thrilled to have my poem as the POTW! Have a beautiful day!

Brandy Nicole

Date: 6/19/2022 1:13:00 PM

I can't imagine calling a peace-loving, fearful, yet a strong animal, a "Beast of Burden." You paint such vivid images with your words. A wonderful dedication to Len. Your thoughts are filled with many emotions. Congratulations Anaya, on Poem of the Week. ~ Brandy

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 7:06:00 PM

Hi Brandy, it is truly hard to believe what these precious animals have been through, and still in the present. I am taken aback by my poem as POTW. Thank you, I am honored for your visit! Hugs

Constance La France

Date: 6/19/2022 7:56:00 AM

Anaya, terrific poem, it made me weep, and at the end smile with joy for Len, such cruelty in the world it is almost unbearable, big congratulations on your deserving POEM OF THE WEEK honor, "follow your bliss always" ~Constance

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 7:10:00 PM

I am honored for your read! Constance, thank you, I really appreciate your thoughts, and by the will of God I will do that. I am taken aback by the POTW honor, hugs to you.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 6/19/2022 7:51:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTW win. Your "Beast Of Burden" is a wonderful story/write. Your line, "Enslaved as a beast of burden," is so true. Too bad what animals go through. I love animals. Have a great/blessed day........................

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 7:04:00 PM

Wow I am so honored and taken aback by the POTW! Thank you, Paula for your care of the precious animals that are mistreated! Hugs and have a beautiful day!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/19/2022 7:48:00 AM

A wonderful choice for Poem of the Week. Anaya. Congratulations on your honor. This is sure to do well in the contest. Blessings xxoo

I Am Anaya
Date: 8/13/2022 2:12:00 PM

"The Supreme Source" yes was the POTD, while "Beast of Burden" POTW! I am grateful for these recognitions, and I want to thank the administration for their generous accolades! ~I Am Anaya

Connie Marcum Wong
Date: 6/24/2022 10:55:00 AM

You have been doubly honored with both POTD and POTW. A rare happening. Congratulations! Well deserved. Blessings xxoo

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 7:03:00 PM

Thank you, Connie, I am grateful and taken aback by the POTW. I am honored for your visit as well and hope everything is well with you. Have a beautiful day! Hugs

Bill Baker

Date: 6/19/2022 7:38:00 AM

Congratulations on POTW, Anaya. A beautiful story and tribute to Len. The imagery was great and your poem was very engaging. Thanks for sharing it with us my friend. Bill

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/20/2022 11:17:00 AM

I am taken aback by the POTW, Bill. Thank you, I did use Len's name! A tribute to the brutality of animal's as well. I'm thrilled to share my poem. Have a beautiful day!

Karen Jones

Date: 6/19/2022 6:10:00 AM

Congrats on a well deserved potw and good luck in the contest.

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 7:00:00 PM

Thank you, Karen, I am so proud, for the POTW and am taken aback! Thank you for your visit. Have a beautiful day!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/19/2022 2:08:00 AM

Lovely story Anaya, with a happy ending. Congratulations on POTW, enjoy your weekend. Tom

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 1:42:00 PM

Thank you, Tom, I am grateful for your visit and am taken aback by the POTW. Unfortunately, there are not all happy endings. But I am enjoying this moment! Happy Father's Day! If you celebrate. Hugs

Len Gasun

Date: 6/19/2022 12:41:00 AM

Wow! Very beautiful story and a great creation of yours where one of the characters is my name. I love this a lot. Big smiles from me here my dear friend, Anaya. Thanks a lot. But, the reality is sad. I'm an animal lover but knowing that elephants are also beasts of burden (like some other farm animals i know), really breaks my heart. However, those who're trained were so good, they can paint like human. To my FAVE. TYvVM. Best wishes/good luck in the contest my dear. Hugs.hugs..Asta La Vista..

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 1:47:00 PM

Thank you, Len! I am glad you like it, I just knew you would get it. It is a very important subject for animal lovers. I have seen how they paint, they are one of the most intelligent animal, and I understand that if the trunk of an elephant is down...IT Means That they are Very Unhappy!!! Just like the picture above!!! Love and Adios! Anaya

Valsa George

Date: 6/19/2022 12:34:00 AM

Definitely a tall tale, Anaya ! I am so happy that Len got finally relieved and freed. Since animals can't talk, they never narrate their tales of woe... ! If they could, what gruesome stories we would have been fated to hear! All the Best, dear !

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/19/2022 1:40:00 PM

So glad that you understand that this is a serious subject, luckily there really is a sanctuary for these beasts (mules, horses, etc.) Thank you, Valsa, we can speak up for them. they let us know, for example when their trunk is drooped in despair! Have a beautiful day!

Robert Gorelick

Date: 6/17/2022 7:23:00 PM

A legend of exotic, majestic intrigue. Elephants are known to be the most compassionate, empathetic, animals of any species, and are known to be known to beasts of burden when forced to work. Good luck!

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/17/2022 7:54:00 PM

Thank you, Robert, you always get it! You are very kind to come and express your genius! We can speak for them through our poems, they so deserve to be rescued. Have a nice day! :)

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 6/17/2022 1:37:00 PM

So descriptive. Makes me wish to ride one, Best for a win.

I Am Anaya
Date: 6/17/2022 7:58:00 PM

Hmmm, thank you, Victor...I had Len (souper) in mind when making this come alive! Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend!