Turtle

Turtle

we saw his little legs
propelling him rapidly
towards the highway,
just in time for us to
swerve out of the way.
My companion, S., stopped
immediately, chatting amiably
to the turtle, as to an old friend,about the dangers of jaywalking
and how he’ll really have to head
back.
The turtle didn’t seem to be listening
and continued stubbornly towards
the center of the pavement.
Realizing there was no hope that
the turtle would show any common
sense, S. dismounted from his
bike, now speaking a bit more sternly
to the turtle, who by now had retreated
into his shell, like the teenager
who slams his door when his parents
are talking at him.
So, as one would do with a stubborn
child in the middle of tantrum, S.
picked up the turtle, now fully flailing
all his little legs in full protest,
assuring him this was best for his overall
health and well-being, and
placed him in the grass facing
back towards the marsh from which
he came. Even then, he
watched to make sure the turtle
did not do something silly like
turn back towards the road.
“Ciao, friend!” he called out as
he remounted his bicycle and
we headed on down the road.