Elephant

The Elephant In The Room
by Terry Katterling

There's an elephant in the room.
It is large and squatting, so it is hard to get around it.
Yet we squeeze by with *How are you?* and *I'm fine*.
And a thousand other forms of trivial chatter.

We talk about the weather.
We talk about work.
We talk about everything else - except the elephant in the room.
There's an elephant in the room.

We all know it is there.
We are all thinking about the elephant as we talk.
It is constantly on our minds.
For you see, it is a very large elephant.

But, we do not talk about the elephant in the room.
Oh, please, say his name.
Oh, please, say *Brayden* again.
Oh, please, let's talk about the elephant in the room.

For if we talk about his death, perhaps we can talk about his life.
Can I say *Brayden* and not have you look away?
For, if I cannot, you are leaving me
Alone.......in a room......with an elephant.....