The Titular Inspiration

 

So, why is 'The Elephant and The Peanut' so titled?

Written for my children, the elephant is in the story to set it in India and is a way of telling them where we're from.
But what about the peanut?
While it is a riff on the supposed fascination that elephants have for peanuts, the peanut's raison d'être lies elsewhere.

It can perhaps be explained by this poem, written in August 2014, six months after my first child was born:

It seems like it was yesterday

When you, tiny peanut, were born

But I realize with a shock

That six months have, somehow, just gone

Flown by in a crowd of events

Mixed with colds, coughs and runny nose

Monthly cupcakes and photographs

Vitamin D; Colic-Aid dose

While not worried about hiccups

Thoughts still arise when you complain

Are you teething; hungry maybe?

Have you now sufficient weight gain?

I see you just 4 hours a day

Else I'm at work or you're asleep

And so I watch you in your crib

As you lay quietly counting sheep.

I'm petrified, anxiety-filled

Wondering if you will perceive

That your dear father is the one

With the songs and lines up his sleeve

Many nervous moments are spent

The bell rung and waiting a while

D'you know the man behind the door?

Will you then greet him with a smile?

I've loved the time that has "whoosh"-ed past

Morning baths, and songs at nap time

Your gurgling and excited kicks

Your squeals that almost are in rhyme

Your drool that splashes on my shirts

Your worm-like, winding, tumbling crawl

Penchant for chewing everything

Your awesome, right-side, dimple small

Eyes that shine with the light of youth

Eager fingers that fly to mouth

A cute tummy that produces

Thundering sounds from the deep South.

These sights and sounds that form my days

Long may they ever continue

And I'm fortunate, blessed to have

A tiny peanut, just like you.