Turtle Poem by Paul Clement Czaja

In the dark shade of the country road
His daring dash to get across to the other side
Was almost completed
When I came driving around the turn to see
The turtle
Head stretched out
Nose pointing like an arrowhead
His round helmet shell body damp and black
Driven by four determined legs
Tail stuck out behind
A rudder of absolute purpose
To go, go, go straight ahead & fast
Just one more yard of roadway left
Before the safety of the thick forest greenery
Of course as in our life all is relative
And so the fast gear of this turtle
Is fast in comparison to the pace of the snail & worm
My point is that I had to hit my brakes
And swerve a bit
To avoid running the courageous turtle over crunch
Passing by I saw him in the rear view mirror
Stepping into the haven of the forest
Safe and very much alive
Going on my way I mused on the virtues of such turtles
They must be filled with
Inborn faith & a hope in life
For they seem to me to be
So aware of God’s presence in their lives
That fear is unknown to them
And their souls are so filled with
Serenity & courage & wisdom
They seem like the eagle to be
So beyond the ordinary
That they make me think of
Angels & saints & heaven
Oh suddenly found turtle
Would you come live with me
I want to look into your eyes
I want to learn from you