The Turtles. Poem by Geoffrey Fafard

The turtles come out
Every evening on dusk
They trust me coming to my feet
They have trouble finding the food
Their eyesight is not good
They have to complete with the ducks
And eels and fish in the lake
They do not fight nor fuss
For they are gentle and patient
What they don't get today
Will be there and theirs tomorrow
They stay till the sun takes leave
And the moon arrives
Slowly they disappear
Deep into the now inky lake
Someone has come
"Why do you bother" they ask
"Oh I don't really know "
I reply smiling in the dark
"Can I get you a drink? "