A Turtle Passage

A turtle carries
the world on its back,
and I weep if an hour
passes too quickly.

I talk faster
than the shelled
creature can move,
but it reaches its
destination while
I make excuses
to never begin.

It is born ancient,
wise, connected
to earth’s heart.

I need to kneel
at its passage
and ask it to teach me
how to have patience
in my journey
when ten steps forward
leaves me twenty
steps behind.

©Susie Clevenger 2019

#NaPoWriMo2019

Real Toads Wordy Wednesday

Comments

Sherry Blue Sky said…
I love your first stanza........maybe turtle can loan us some of its perseverance. Heaven knows we need it. Life is exhausting. Smiles.
April 24, 2019 at 6:59 PM
Revived Writer said…
I really enjoyed the comparisons you made, especially the second stanza.
April 24, 2019 at 7:21 PM
tonispencer said…
I love this perspective of the turtle carrying the world on its back.
April 24, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Magaly Guerrero said…
If she ever tells you, do share the knowledge... Sometimes I get tired of all this running in place and backwards.
April 24, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Jim said…
Nice thoughts, Susie, well penned. I have seen turtles run but most plod along. For sure I would if I was carrying the weight of the world. Poor Atlas.
..
April 24, 2019 at 10:32 PM
Kim M. Russell said…
The poem reads at a turtle’s pace, Susie, and I found myself taking in every word – I like the way you did that. I often feel the same way, that turtles and other people reach their destinations while I make excuses. I wonder what it’s like to be:
‘…born ancient,
wise, connected
to earth’s heart’.
April 25, 2019 at 1:23 AM
Rosemary Nissen-Wade said…
Well, it seems to have shown you what you (think you) need to learn. :) A lovely homage to the turtle.
April 25, 2019 at 1:41 AM
Sanaa Rizvi said…
This is incredibly poignant!❤️ I smiled at " I talk faster than the shelled creature can move," .. I have always admired them because of the story of the hare and the tortoise ..❤️

April 25, 2019 at 5:55 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
I need to learn this kind of patience too.
April 25, 2019 at 9:24 AM
purplepeninportland.com said…
Love that turtle! I wish I had half of its patience.
April 25, 2019 at 7:59 PM
robkistner said…
Great piece Susie on a majestic creature. Love your perspective in this write, and the line, “ten steps forward leaves me twenty steps behind.” I have also always seen turtles as very wise. Really liked this!
April 26, 2019 at 12:30 PM
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