Home » Poems » Regina Mcintosh » One Turtle

One Turtle

Speeding along a curved road
Eyes watching the asphalt’s twists and turns 
I happen upon a substantial rock
Lying along the road on my course
It takes a few seconds for me to realize
That big brown rock isn’t what it seems
The rock has a yellow neck, legs, a head and tail
That beckon me to stop despite what lies ahead
My reasoning forces me to ponder on it’s future
Will the next car around the curve stop for this comrade
Or will it be struck and left for dead?
I put my car in park and hurry to pick it up
One lonely turtle has found itself being removed
From the path of oncoming vehicles
Taken to the grassy side of the road
Facing the opposite direction 
In hopes that it will find it’s way far from
The impending danger of traffic
Now, this one turtle has a better chance
At living out it’s life at it’s own slow pace

©2014 by Regina Riddle
Written on July 25th, 2014 for FREE VERSE CONTEST...THEME IS TURTLES... 
FREE VERSE ONLY - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Cyndi MacMillan

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Kika Ayala

Date: 8/9/2014 9:08:00 AM

Congratulations, Regina on your fine win. I enjoyed reading this wonderful piece of poetry. Great write!Kika

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/7/2014 11:38:00 PM

hey you know what? This would have been great also in the Random acts of kindness contest. That was so sweet of you to help it out. I would like to think I would have done the same thing. this shows much about your character, Regina. btw, just saw your contest was judged. AHA, right? Thanks so much for my win.

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 8/7/2014 4:02:00 PM

Regina, huge congratulations for your placement in this contest! Well done! Warmest regards! Pandita

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 7/28/2014 3:44:00 PM

Dear Regina, Bravo for saving the turtle. I have the same feelings when I see them near roads, but I don't recall ever seeing one dead on the road. Wishing you success in Cyndi's contest. (This would have been a good topic for Deb Guzzie's "Random Acts of Kindness" contest too, but she requires a different form. Love from another animal lover, Carolyn

Brian Johnston

Date: 7/26/2014 4:26:00 PM

So you have a thing for turtles. But why only blank verse in your contest? My sister and I had a turtle farm in our backyard in OK where we kept turtles we rescued crossing the road when Dad would take us out to the farm with him. My mom, an artist and sculptor used to carve and paint turtles from wood that looked alive. Thanks for the memory!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/25/2014 1:35:00 PM

- This turtle was lucky - met someone like you .... saved its life! - Enjoy reading your poems Regina - Hope this will be high on the list of winners - Good luck! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Regina Mcintosh
Date: 7/25/2014 1:36:00 PM