How to Be a Turtle
Wind yourself up in the world’s smallest flower
snore like a stubbly old man, slowly, slowly
slowly. Follow a crusty shelled amphibian
home for dinner. Admire the swamp, breathe
deep from its gasses. Pencil your new habitat
on the map under your hat. Pull in your head
dive deep below the muck and old tires
careful not to swallow the algae. Show
the minnows who’s boss. Wrap a slick snake
skin around your stick neck for warmth.
Paddle your way
to the surface.
Breathe.
Breathe.
If this has taken a long time,
slow down.
You’re in the shell.
You’re in the tank.
The ride is never over.
Labels: how can anyone write a poem with children tramping around, how-to poem, nature
posted by jillypoet @ 1:23 PM
6 Comments:
Wow! This rocks.
Oh, yes. Jilly. The pacing, the language, the images. All perfect.
This is really great. The ending is perfect.
Thanks guys! It feels good to write after taking too long of a break. Would you believe I was inspired by Maggie and the Ferocious Beast? A kid's cartoon. If life gives you lemons...or in my case, if life gives you constant children's programming...
Jilly: Will you please contact me regarding this poem? Thank you:)
Jill, I've only read this now. It's so clever.
What a beautiful first line ...
and the last three:
"You’re in the shell.
You’re in the tank.
The ride is never over."
Perfect.
And so many gorgeous images: the stubby old man, the map under your hat, the diving deep, the muck and old tires, the minnows, the snake skin ...
And, as Deb said, the pacing. Breathe. Breathe.
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