The White Elephant Kneels Tapa blanda - 2014

"The White Elephant Kneels" was inspired by Roxann Gillett's private month-long safari in the 1980s following the migration across the Serengeti-Mara in Africa. Lill's story is based, in part, on Gillet's own experiences, including the 12 years she spent as a wild animal trainer at Marine World Africa USA in California and a three-year stint as an "elephant broad" with Circus Vargas. She has raised and lived with 27 big cats, a mixture of lions and tigers, and one small bobcat with a serious attitude problem. Gillett taught Creative Writing on an Arts-in-Corrections grant at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, for three years. The class was held on "A-yard" in maximum security. The men were the worst of the worst, all lifers, and most of them in for murder. She found it an interesting challenge, a job she thoroughly enjoyed, and a book yet to be written.