I am watching the lumpy swell of mountains against the horizon 

Wrinkled like the skin of the elephants that once held up the world 

Ridged like their bony uncomplaining shoulders. 

Did those elephants ever tire? 

But someone has to be the quiet one. 

And given the choice, 

Between accepting burdens or marching within a red tent,

I would choose as they did—to hold up the sky.