The matriarch is named Gaia. 
She has led them hundreds of miles
from the savanna through salt flat
to a river where they can drink. 
Thirst slaked, the herd continues south
to the Okavango delta,
passing through veldt rife with lions.

One night, the parents must scramble
to shield their young from the big cats. 
The stress is too much for Gaia 
and she collapses on the ground,
where they find her in the morning –
their trunks caress her great body
and sip the last breaths from her mouth. 

The lions persist. To survive,
the elephants need to move on.
They leave Gaia to be scavenged. 
I watch this documentary
with my three-year-old son, who seems
not bothered by the savageness. 
He enjoys sitting together. 

Across the country from us,
my mom – his Nana – lies in bed
healing from a back injury. 
My sister’s family cares for her. 
Their toddler daughter brings books
to share when Nana is awake
and has the strength to read aloud. 

After we turn off the TV,
my son asks to talk to Nana, 
which means we video call her.  
He holds up a piece of his toast 
to show her what he is eating,
then puts his blankie to her face 
as if to snuggle in person.