Agnes Of Africa
Agnes’s ancient black eyes are nested with wisdom,
her dark complexion is carved with deep wrinkles.
She is dearly loved and is the heart of our Ascension Circus.
Her long, elephant ears are the shape of Africa.
In another time, Agnes would have been a great matriarch leading
a migration across the savanna.
In present time, she performs under the big top and
does not leave her comfortable perimeter.
As a youngster, Agnes was taught to stand still.
Her first handlers staked a large chain into the ground
And then wrapped it around her rear leg.
Ever time Agnes tugged,
her chain would painfully tighten.
Soon, she learned a core belief to never push any boundary.
Only a thread, just a whisper of former chains, attaches Agnes.
Her new trainer has tried to coax her out of her tiny circle.
He tells her, “Remember who you are.
Make a different choice and step beyond limitation.
Experience freedom.”
But Agnes remains comfortably attached to her belief.
She will not budge even though clowns, monkeys and
strawberry smells swirl around her.
Agnes’s desires come and go but she won’t surrender her fear.
She resists from making even the tiniest tug.
On the last day of the circus show, rustling leaves call her home.
Agnes decides that her pattern isn’t working for her.
The memory of the chain no longer burdens her.
It is simply done.
Time to release the old belief and replace it with a lighter version.
Shaking loose, Agnes reaches out her trunk a little further than ever before.
Suddenly Agnes is free. She follows a trail of apple smells.
Each piece of fruit she finds is a delightful taste treat.
Then beyond all dreams, Agnes finds a bucket full of surprises.
After picking through to get her favorites, she eats all its contents.
Grasping her empty feed bucket with her trunk,
she gives it to waiting caregivers.
They give her a smile and a banana in return.
A banana always brings unexpected happiness.
An elephant named Joy greets Agnes with a trunk hug.
They hold their tails straight out with excitement.
Joy rumbles vocalizations of silent thunder. These low ultrasonic sounds travel along the ground sending a message.
The other circus elephants feel Joy’s soulful song. Their sensitive skin in their feet and trunks pick up resonant vibrations much like the flat skin on the head of a drum. Agnes is delighted.
She triumphs back to the others, “This is such a good, good day.”
