Turtles
Turtles
We turtles are special and have been revered
All over the world for centuries.
In the Americas, native people always regarded us
As being sacred, symbolical, and mythical.
Even Christopher Columbus when he crossed the ocean blue,
Paid homage to us in 1492, as he spied a tiny island,
Off the coast of Hispaniola, that reminded him of a huge turtle shell,
Naming it “Tortuga,” the Spanish word for “turtle.”
Turtles like me are quite versatile, at home on either land or sea,
Good weather, bad weather, it’s all the same to me.
Freely swimming and roaming sandy beaches,
It’s easy to seek protection between sharp rocks and crevices,
Colorful coral reefs, sunken ships,
And even hostile sharks and octopuses.
With friends and foes I forage for food,
Among tender seaweeds and crusty ancient barnacles.
Honorable creatures, calm, cool, and seemingly unhurried,
We timid turtles trouble no one and mind our own business.
Alas! Too many of our gentle kind have sadly disappeared,
Some taken for pets, some served on delicate dinner plates,
And some carelessly slaughtered.
But fortunately for me,
I’m the one that got away,
And lived to tell the tale!
Date: 7/29/2014
Entered in contest “Turtles” sponsored by: Cyndi MacMillan
Copyright © Kika Ayala | Year Posted 2014
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.
Please
Login
to post a comment