jillypoet: mom trying to write

Each day I wish I had invented waterproof sticky notes (for shower inspiration) or pen-friendly diapers to get down all my quirky thoughts that I am sure are relevant and publishable. And so God (actually another writer-mommy) sent me The Blog.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

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.

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6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! This rocks.

4:00 PM  
Blogger Deb said...

Oh, yes. Jilly. The pacing, the language, the images. All perfect.

12:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is really great. The ending is perfect.

7:01 AM  
Blogger jillypoet said...

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...

10:40 AM  
Blogger Every Photo Tells A Story said...

Jilly: Will you please contact me regarding this poem? Thank you:)

12:19 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

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.

4:12 PM  

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