I am a heavy tortoise, <br />I clump around the house, <br />for humans never taught us <br />to scamper like a mouse; <br />they keep us with the roses <br />and close the door but I <br />know how to use my nose’s <br />hard tip to get right by <br />them as they sit down talking <br />and having all the fun; <br />I only want to stalk in <br />and sit with everyone. <br />These humans have no inkling <br />of what it’s like to be <br />a reptile with a sprinkling <br />of cultured repartee. <br />They sometimes rub me over <br />with smelly olive oil, <br />and call me names like Rover <br />which makes my cold blood boil. <br />They even call me turtle <br />which hurts my shell-shocked pride, <br />and though I’m fat and fertile <br />they don’t give me a bride. <br />I eat their weeds and peaches <br />that fall and spoil the lawn, <br />but if they tease with speeches <br />they find I’m quite withdrawn. <br />I have some famous cousins <br />with shells ten feet across, <br />who bring the rich in dozens <br />to famed Galapagos; <br />and once our Greek ancestor <br />named Aesop did not spare <br />to tell we won the Test O- <br />lympics versus Hare. <br />A dog is always barking <br />and has to go for walks, <br />a car needs gas and parking, <br />a neighbor talks and talks, <br />but I’m discreet and quiet, <br />eat grass and don’t complain <br />about some goldfish diet <br />or catch cold in the rain. <br />I’m loyal and I’m ready <br />to be your trusty friend, <br />my memory’s long and steady - <br />I’ll be here at your end. <br /> <br />Love to Crazy (not Rover) Ecclesiastes Hepner <br />LRH <br />9.25.07<br /><br />Linda Hepner<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/torto-bio/
