i am safe here
way deep back
within this thick shell
where it is dark
but it is dry
and i can barely hear
the waves of the ocean
beating without mercy
against the shore outside
or the sound of the whistling wind
it doesn't carry way back to this depth
of withinness
and the seagulls
though they may sit on top of me and squawk
and boy to they love to do that!
but i can't hear them in here
it's nice and quiet and so restful

and, if perchance,
i decide i do want to
explore the crazy world
way outside my somewhat
limited parameters here
all i have to do
is stick my head out
and my arms out
and my legs out
and it does take a while
for me to move
i'll admit that
i'm slow and easy
and this is why
i don't move much
only when it's important

like to slide out there
into the water
to grab myself
a tasty little morsel of food
of some sort
or every once in a while
one of the womenfolk
will trudge on by
in their brightly
painted shells
that i'd have to explore
get acquainted with
cozy up to
maybe produce a few
little ones
if she's friendly
and open to it
and besides that
it feels good so yeah...
i'll go out for that

but outside of that
i'm more than happy
to just stay here
well within myself
nestled in the dunes
relaxing...
contemplating my own being
more than comfortable
in my own scaley skin
rocking back and forth a little
in tune with the tides
helps me sleep, you know

and i feel the stars above me
as i rest here in my little home
twinkling so bright as if to
watch over me
like so many turtle gods
with so many flashlights
being guided by the big turtle moon
with her glowing white shell
sometimes she hides
but i can always find her
and the protection she provides
way back here in the cozy dark
the light in my little shelled life
and i snuggle way in
where no one can reach me
and i sigh