Tender is the nightand the smallest elephant is sleeping among the tessellating pieces of its herd. Not built for lying downhe doesn’t kneel or foldbut tumblesover the pivot of the ground makes sky of landhis short trunk left simply wherever enchanting in its tininess. He stirs and with the silver tip he sipsfrom the earthsiphoning the creamsteadilyin the thicket of bushes.All until dawn, or as long as a groupof elephant will sleep he chugs his drinkhis trunk the conduitthe night itself his milk.
Elephant
Martha Sprackland
Feature Date
Series
Selected By
Share This Poem
Print This Poem
Copyright © 2024 Martha Sprackland
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduced by Poetry Daily with permission.
Martha Sprackland is an editor, writer and translator. Her debut collection of poems, CITADEL (Pavilion, 2020), was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection and the Costa Poetry Award. Her new translation of the poems and prose of sixteenth-century Spanish mystic St John of the Cross is forthcoming from Penguin Classics in 2026.
109
London
England
Poetry Editor
André Naffis-Sahely
Reviews Editor
Isabelle Baafi
Poetry London is an arts charity and leading international poetry magazine where acclaimed contemporary poets share pages with exciting new names. Published three times a year in February, May and September, each issue contains new poetry, incisive reviews and features. Poetry London holds an annual poetry competition and launches each issue with readings from distinguished poet contributors to the magazine.
“Its eclectic international editorial vision makes Poetry London one of the very few best, essential poetry magazines in English.”
—Stephen Berg, Editor, The American Poetry Review
“Poetry London has long been essential reading. Try imagining contemporary poetry without it.”
—Sean O’Brien
“Poetry London spreads its net wide to include the latest from Europe, American and other parts of the world, as well as from the islands of Britain and Ireland: work by new poets and established ones. The reviews are intelligent and articulate. The design is simple and accessible. In other words, it’s one of the best poetry magazines around.”
—Ciaran Carson
Poetry Daily Depends on You
With your support, we make reading the best contemporary poetry a treasured daily experience. Consider a contribution today.
