the turtle sings

you might think I’m slow.

I’m not slow. you’re zooming in and out to everywhere

through your world incapable of resolution.

I'm not slow. what a tsetse fly is to you, you are to me.

you’ll see I’m right when you’re dead.

It's true. I eat houseflies,–– those big-eyed

germ carriers who find their way to the kitchen

then vomit on your morning toast.

It's what they do when they make a landing.

did you know that? still think you're smart?

look at me. penned inside a glass-walled aquarium

without a roof because you know I can’t jump.

I hate you. each morning when you check

to see if I'm living, know now that I hate you.

do you think I'm clawing at the walls of your

penitentiary because I'm conversing with glass?

because it's some sort of twisted mating ritual?

I want out. I want out!–– listen to my song.

set me free so that when I awake in the morning

I can smell the roses before the alligator eats me.