Poem Facts for Memory of Her A group of elephants is called a herd. “Memory” is not an official zoological term — it’s a poetic/creative one. Many writers use it symbolically because elephants have strong social bonds and excellent long‑term memory. So: true as metaphor, not as biology. Female elephants (matriarchs) do lead the herd. This is factual. Elephant societies are matriarchal; older females guide, protect, and make decisions. They protect generation after generation. True — matriarchs teach routes, water sources, danger signals, and social behavior. The “elephant in the room” line That’s metaphorical, not factual — but it works. Now I know what my next Goorin Bros Hat will be - an Elephant.