Holding Hands
-Leonore M Link
| Holding Hands -Leonore M Link Along the trails Elephants walking Are holding hands By holding tails Trunks and tails Are handy things When elephants walk In Circus rings. And when they walk It never fails They’re holding hands By holding tails. | হাত ধরাধরি -লিওনোরে এম লিংক হাতিরা হেঁটে যাচ্ছে পথ ধরে হাত ধরাধরি করে আছে লেজ ধরে শুঁড় আর লেজ কাজের জিনিস যখন হাতিরা হাঁটে সার্কাসের রিং-এ। আর যখন তারা হাঁটে কখনও ব্যর্থ হয় না তারা হাত ধরাধরি করে আছে লেজ ধরে। |
🐘 Line-by-Line Explanation
1–2. “Elephants walking / Along the trails”
The poem begins by setting a simple scene: elephants moving together along a path. It evokes an image of animals traveling as a group.
3–4. “Are holding hands / By holding tails.”
Here, elephants are described as “holding hands,” but in their case it’s literal—they hold each other’s tails with their trunks. This metaphor equates their act of connection to human hand-holding.
5–6. “Trunks and tails / Are handy things”
The poet plays on the word “handy”—suggesting that trunks and tails serve practical purposes, just like hands do for humans. They’re tools for connection and support.
7–8. “When elephants walk / In circus rings.”
Drawing attention to the elephants’ coordinated movement in a circus environment implies both discipline and cooperation, but it also reinforces the image of them staying linked through their tails.
9–10. “Elephants work / And elephants play”
This shift highlights that whether they’re laboring or enjoying themselves, these creatures remain connected—bonded by more than function.
11–12. “And elephants walk / And feel so gay.”
They aren’t just performing; they’re happy. The term “gay” here means joyful. It underscores the emotional benefit of their connection.
13–14. “And when they walk— / It never fails”
The repetition and gentle emphasis (“it never fails”) assure readers that this behavior—staying connected—is constant and dependable.
15–16. “They’re holding hands / By holding tails.”
The poem closes by circling back to its central image: the elephants are always connected via their tails, mirroring human closeness and companionship.
Summary of the poem “Holding Hands” by Leonore M. Link:
The poem describes a charming scene of elephants walking together, especially in a circus setting. Instead of holding hands like humans, the elephants hold each other’s tails with their trunks, forming a gentle chain. This behavior symbolizes unity, cooperation, and companionship among the elephants. The poem uses simple language and repetition to emphasize the sweet and playful nature of this gesture.
A child-friendly explanation of the poem “Holding Hands
This poem talks about elephants walking together in a line. Instead of holding hands like people do, they hold each other’s tails with their trunks. It’s a fun and sweet way to show how they stay close and help each other, especially when they walk in a circus. The poem shows that even animals have special ways of showing friendship and sticking together.
The themes of the poem “Holding Hands” by Leonore M. Link:
- Companionship and Connection
The poem highlights how elephants stay connected by holding each other’s tails, symbolizing friendship and unity. - Gentleness in Nature
Despite their large size, elephants are portrayed as gentle creatures, moving together in harmony. - Innocence and Playfulness
The simple imagery and repetitive structure evoke a childlike sense of wonder and playfulness. - Routine and Order
The mention of circus rings suggests a structured environment where the elephants follow a routine, emphasizing discipline and coordination. - Symbolism of Touch
The act of “holding hands” through tails and trunks symbolizes emotional closeness and trust, even among animals.
Questions for practice
1) What is the title of the poem?
Answer: The title of the poem is “Holding Hands”.
2) Who is the author of this poem?
Answer: The author of the poem is Leonore M Link.
3) What animals are walking along the trails in the poem?
Answer: Elephants are walking along the trails in the poem.
4) How are the elephants described as “holding hands”?
Answer: The elephants are described as “holding hands” by holding tails.
5) What two things are mentioned as being “handy things” when elephants walk?
Answer: Trunks and tails are mentioned as being “handy things” when elephants walk.
6) Where are the elephants walking in the poem?
Answer: The elephants are walking in circus rings.
7) What does the poem say “never fails” when the elephants walk?
Answer: The poem says that “it never fails” that they are holding hands by holding tails when they walk.
8) According to the poem, what part of one elephant is held by another?
Answer: According to the poem, the tail of one elephant is held by another.
9) What is the repeated way the elephants are described as holding hands?
Answer: The repeated way the elephants are described as holding hands is “By holding tails”.
10) How many stanzas (groups of lines) are there in this poem?
Answer: There are two stanzas in this poem.
