Written from the perspective of a turtle I met at an aquarium, this work expresses the deep longing I had in that moment to be that turtle.
I awake slowly, blinking my eyes
taking in my surroundings from inside my shell.
Moving slowly, I peek out
stretching my neck upwards, I enjoy the soft warm light of this new day.
All is quiet.
I stretch out my legs, resting my feet on the cool ground.
I feel the damp air on my neck and face.
Blinking
I lift my head and smell the fresh greenness of my world.
Turning, I see the water below
sparkling in the soft light.
I make my way down to the edge.
It takes time, as I only move as I move.
No rush.
I feel the rocks beneath my feet
the moss slippery.
What is this - a leaf - a little snack,
how I love the sound of the fresh leaf crunch.
Blinking
I look up at the light and then continue my way down to the water's edge.
Sliding in
feeling the water slip over my body
weightless
my favorite part of the day is this
letting the water move me.
I sigh
float
look up at the light reflections dancing on the water.
I hear rumbling
booming sounds reverberating through that clear wall at the edge of my world.
I know they are back again
these big and small two-legged creatures
how they run around out there.
I am so happy I have my water to float in, watching in stillness.
I push my legs out and swim down to the bottom of the pool
nibble on some algae.
I hear a thunking sound moving through my head.
The water ripples.
One of them is knocking on the clear edge of my world
trying to get my attention.
But that is something I don't need
their attention.
I let them pass on.
They usually run off to the neighbors
-- those large grey legless creatures with points on their backs.
They move more quickly and draw more attention.
I allow myself to float upwards and drift
drift.
I watch as a two-legged approaches.
I expect it to tap on the clear edge
but it doesn't.
It leans in and looks deeply at me.
I turn slightly and we look at each other
both of us still
looking
looking
it's here I see a longing in its eyes.
Like it's taking my whole world in
the stillness
the floating of me.
It's curious
this feeling I see in the creature
this creature too big for my little world.
What is this longing?
It closes its eyes and then opens them, saying something
so quiet I don't feel it in the water.
It then turns and moves away.
I am still
floating
not going anywhere
looking up at the light reflections dancing on the water.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: began actively writing in her late 40s, feeling called to put her thoughts to paper and to challenge herself by sharing her work publicly through writing workshops and Substack. Her career encompasses her work as a Death Midwife, Clinical Herbalist, and a Volunteer Coordinator in hospice. You can find out more at www.elderwoodapothecary.com and on Substack: @inthestillnesss