the elderly

you had to beat
the elephant
to get him
back into his cage,
he's resisting,
and after
all he's done
for you, and you
in turn for him,
standing
on his two legs.
roaring on
cue, throwing
water with his
long trunk. eating
peanuts from your
hand. he's carried
this circus
on his back for
years,but you
had to strike him
hard against
the grey shell
of his prehistoric
skin, to tell him,
please, please go
to sleep, accept
your end, be
gentle, be kind,
don't be like
me, just go in.