Evocation #18 The Camel’s Hippie Cousin

Appearances can be deceptive.
One might mistake a llama for an alpaca, 
but nature granted smaller alpacas personal profitability 
while llamas have the capacity to adopt and protect 
entire communities of sheep. Llamas are sometimes known as the camel’s hippy cousin.

A tale for friends and comrades...

Llama looked out over the pitch.
The sheep habitually played together, following each other’s movements,
paying surprisingly little attention to the ground or the competition.
When they did look up, the intrusion of elements beyond themselves
almost seemed to be a distraction.

Llama cast a watchful eye over each lamb, perceiving weaknesses, doubts, fears...
As interactions ensued, leaders emerged, offering possibilities, encouragements, strengths...
Llama looked less for skills and more for spirit, knowing the power of magnification.
After all, the dispirited would flag and fail,
while the inspired would ascend to heights beyond imagining.
Fitness fed spirit... and trust.
Trust in one another was built by example. Llama showed trust and trust grew within the flock.

Llama sometimes felt like mutton - aged to imperfection,
requiring all available spiced oils to bring balance and palatability...
or at least bath salts and physi-tape supporting strained and aching muscles.
There were never too many seasons.

Llama held the attention with clear orders and sense of purpose.
The goal was to see the whole game, not simply live for the moment of glory.
See one another - call one another - work with one another!
A llama only spits when angry or frustrated.

Llamas are capable of carrying at least 30% of their body weight,
but this llama carried all the hopes and dreams of life and love.
How many came to llama for guidance and advice?
How many hours were given to confessionals and disclosures.
The ears of a llama are sometimes compared to bananas,
substantial - a feature of their profile.

Camel-like, the llama can face great hardship,
yet does so within a social framework.
No one could accuse llama of being antisocial!
Llamas can bear burdens, for self and others,
easing the pilgrimage, companioning life’s journey,
holding on to that which is good and protecting it from loss or misplacement.

The blue llama was created, bound up in prayer,
stuffed full of love and story,
working diligently to the very end,
providing the shoulder on which a tired arm could rest.

(C) A A Koh-Butler, 2019


Note: Terry played SIM city with a great Llama crew. His tag was Llama. He was also a Life Member of St Ives Soccer Club, where he played and coached. Teamwork and drawing out the best in others was a core value for Terry. Mrs Llama writes this in honour of the teams he was involved in.