Here is a poem that hits home for the human condition. Six blind men went to examine an elephant, each one taking hold of a different part of the elephant and concluding that the elephant was shaped entirely like that part. This is a good metaphor which illustrates the condition of human narrowmindedness. Often, humans see the world through limited lens, thinking that their version of reality is the best or only reality, and prejudicing all others. This leads to racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and even wars. Perhaps as humans, we are spiritually blind or limited, and only when we open our eyes to see the world as a whole, we realize that we are all different parts of the same whole – all harmonizing with the others for functionality and survival.
The Poem, “The Blind Men and the Elephant” although set in India, was written in the 1800s by American poet John Godfrey Saxe.
It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined,
who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind),
that each by observation, might satisfy his mind.
The first approached the elephant, and, happening to fall,
against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl:
“God bless me! but the elephant, is nothing but a wall!”
The second feeling of the tusk, cried: “Ho! what have we here,
so very round and smooth and sharp? To me tis mighty clear,
this wonder of an elephant, is very like a spear!”
The third approached the animal, and, happening to take,
the squirming trunk within his hands, “I see,” quoth he,
the elephant is very like a snake!”
The fourth reached out his eager hand, and felt about the knee:
“What most this wondrous beast is like, is mighty plain,” quoth he;
“Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree.”
The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said; “E’en the blindest man
can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant, is very like a fan!”
The sixth no sooner had begun, about the beast to grope,
than, seizing on the swinging tail, that fell within his scope,
“I see,” quothe he, “the elephant is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan, disputed loud and long,
each in his own opinion, exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
So, oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween,
tread on in utter ignorance, of what each other mean,
and prate about the elephant, not one of them has seen!
Try writing a poem of your own which describes an aspect of the human condition. Send it in to us at contact@cxcenglish.com if you want us to consider publishing it.
Copyright 2026 by Patrick Carpen. All Rights Reserved.