Today is National Poetry Day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s a poem that’s been running through my head. I finally wrote it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
======<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snapping Turtle<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I parked my car on the shoulder
Got out
Walked over
Picked him up.
\u201cDon’t you know,\u201d
I scolded,
\u201cthat the road is not a safe place for little turtles?\u201d
He blinked.
Held my gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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:
\u201cRemember me.\u201d
Maybe he will.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today is National Poetry Day! Here’s a poem that’s been running through my head. I finally wrote it down. ====== 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 … <\/p>\n