Nelly the Elephant

When I broke my arm, he was by my side.
A long grey trunk, and big ol’ sympathetic eyes.
Floppy ears to fan my feverish face,
and a little hand to hold my heart in place.

The years went by and he lost some colour,
too many washes and spin dries because of mother.
A little grey blur in a rainbow of clothes and suds,
all because I tried to feed him some of my spuds.

Came with me to school, and then with me to college,
Not because he was after knowledge,
he did it just to be by my side.
My Nelly is such a special little guy.

Someday I might give him to my little ones,
Though being without him would make me all numb.
Could I live without him, even for a while?
Rainy days run away when they see his little smile.