This {sweet creature share} has been brought to you by Wendy Cook, of MotherRising!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Self Portait With Elephant
"Ask for what you
want, and be prepared to get it." - Maya Angelou
I had a childhood dream
to do a self portrait with an elephant (I just
adore elephants) and after a
previous encounter with an elephant named
Siri at the local zoo, I decided
to "ask for what I want". I'm not
religious, I don't pray to God. I
"communicate with life", as the
character Maude, in one of my favorite
films (Harold & Maude) said. I
emailed the director of the zoo, and
after our phone conversation he
agreed to grant me my wish. I knew I would
need an assistant because
once I set up the camera and framed the shot, I
wouldn't be able to
push the button. I asked a friend if she would be my
"button pusher"
and she agreed to do it. (Then my husband took Satch and me
to a
little mexican joint for a celebratory dinner...cheese
enchiladas...Satch loves 'em!)
And THIS is what I plan to teach my
son: If you have a dream, a
vision, a wish, an idea...try to make it
happen. Never be afraid to
ask for what you want.
Saturday morning
we drove up the service entrance of the zoo and
walked to the elephant
barn. It was quiet and we could smell the scent
of animals as we approached
the barn. Once inside, we saw Siri and I
was amazed by how much larger she
appeared indoors than outdoors.
Walls and a ceiling give a different
perspective. Mick and John, her
handlers, greeted us and took us to the
yard. It was overcast, but I
took a quick look at the sky to make sure that
the sun would be behind
the camera and set up the equipment while John went
to get Siri. A few
moments later, they appeared. She was magnificent with
wise, amber
eyes. With Siri in the view finder, I adjusted the tripod, set
the
camera, and framed out the shot. I let her sniff me before I
approached her. Then I wrapped my arm around her leg and stroked her,
leaning my body against hers. She leaned back...an elephant hug. It
reminded me very much of how a dog leans into you when you're petting
it. Her skin was both rough and soft like velveteen tree bark. I could
smell her breath, hot and sour like wet hay on a summer day....her
skin, earthy, musky, mammalian. She was gracious and patient while the
photos were taken and we thanked her for both the photos and the
wondrous experience. We thanked the handlers too and after John
brought
Siri back to the barn, I asked him a few questions about her.
I learned
that we have a few things in common:
Siri: 39 years old (but believed to
be in her early 40's based on her
characteristics);9,600 lbs; vegetarian;
likes jelly beans; She is an
artist. (Is it any wonder that I was drawn to
her?)
Wendy: 42 years old (but believed to be an old soul); 110 lbs;
vegetarian; likes Jelly Bellies; Also an artist.
We walked back to
the car still absorbing our magical experience with
the scent of the wild
on our skin and our clothes.
Namaste, Siri...from one who loves
elephants.
"They are incorrigible tons of strength and harmony. Their
hide is
ancient, their eyes sweet, they roll in dust to cool off, they
make
their own showers. They know how to frolic out under the sun. They're
learners. They do not forget, and they don't hold grudges." -Bradford
Morrow (A Bestiary)
