Turtle Song Poem by Kyras Tsimon

There was a young turtle from Cyprus
that went by the name of Kyriakos
who was tired of crawling and eager in knowing
what lied yonder cloud, desert and sea
he wanted to run fast 'cross fire, water, ether and lands
and be free to be free to be Free.

As he laid in the shade on a hot summer's day
he saw a bright flash in the sky
"my, my, my what 's that light that hurts the eye
could this omen be the answer to the night? "

Where the meteorite fell, it left a great well
where rich men went there for their fishing,
while the poor and youths, lovers, artists and fools
went their for their prayers and wishing.

"I wish I wish I wish I were a fish
I would dive in the depths for some pearls
but then again, I wish I had wings
I'd fly off to better spaces than these'

So Turtle approached and took off his clothes
and jumped in the waters for a swim,
wishing of wings, riches and fins
and all that need to be known

But while he was swimming, scheming and dreaming
two shadows crept towards his clothes,
and stole his shell he'd left by the well
poor naked and embarrassed Kyriakos

―"Who did such a deed, such a terrible thing'
screamed Turtle with a horrible ruckus
"this is the isle of Love, oh Sun King above,
how could Hate be found in Cyprus? '

―"T'was politician Rat that wears the tall hat
and General Mouse, the warmongering louse
that connived your shell to be stolen
who turned your house into a thorn-full hot-house
where Hatred and Greed act as pollen'

―"I want it back, back here on my back
without it I'm weak, lost, cold and afraid,
I want it returned so that I may Return,
how much longer must I burn in this pain? '

―"For as long as you need to be cleansed from your needs'
said the King with a smile so wise,
"for as long as you're One, you don't really need one,
that's all you need to realise.
But to sooth your loss and aid you with your cross
accept and cherish these gifts:
Love, Beauty and Wine, Color, Music and Light
the keys to this Life's mysteries.
And though you have lost what you loved the most
you have gained an audience with me,
Freedom lies not in a shell or a wishing well
but in the road of Love and Peace.
So go henceforth freed from wants and needs
and know of Home wherever you roam
For true Freedom lies in the Home we own Within".