A Turtle
it may not
summit the cliff
like a lion
or break the horizon
like an eagle
or quake the ground
like an elephant
or rush the wind
like a giraffe
or swing from trees
like a chimpanzee
or eyeball limbs
like a gator
or circle a ship
like a shark
or slip the night
like a panther
or rip the roots
like a bear
or run the land
like a horse
no, it might not
be a beast
not even close
but it’s determined
to get where it’s going
if it’s headed out to sea
it takes no shortcut
if it’s headed across the street
it takes its chances
if it sets its course
it stays it
sand or sea
grass or leaves
storm or no
might take it time
a little like a lifetime
to get where it’s going
but there’s no quit
under the armor
might not make it across
never even stand a chance
but a turtle
a hard-shell turtle
will die trying
TL