Today is National Poetry Day!
Here’s a poem that’s been running through my head. I finally wrote it down.
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Snapping Turtle
As I was driving home
I saw him in the road
I say ‘him;’
I don’t know.
He was halfway across my lane,
Another lane to go
Headed north
Toward the swamp.
I parked my car on the shoulder
Got out
Walked over
Picked him up.
“Don’t you know,”
I scolded,
“that the road is not a safe place for little turtles?”
He blinked.
Held my gaze.
I carried him beyond
To the far side of the road
To the tall grass on the north
To what safety might be there
I hoped he was returning home.
I hoped he was the Marco Polo of his clan
I hoped he’d tell the other turtles
Of places he’d gone and things he’d seen.
His kin had been here
Long before mine.
His kin will remain
Long after I’m gone.
He was just a baby
An inch long
Give or take.
Before I let him go
I asked one thing of him:
“Remember me.”
Maybe he will.