The Blue Turtle

By Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

I sat beneath its picture there
depressed sad and alone
that night with rain cold and wind
howling at my windows hard

Staring at its lovely blue-green form
I thought I saw it’s big flipper move
Shaking my head I squinted my eyes
sure as I was it was all in my head

Then a soft voice slid from the beak
stout and strong with a whisper
so sweet I sat down on the floor
with a plunk I landed feeling no pain

Turning her head she spoke to me
a gentle wisp of a sound with bubbles
around her neck and face then she
smiled and bid me not be afraid

How is it, she asked, that you gaze
upon me day after day and year
after year longing for the sea
but you remain here sad and unwell?

Astounded I could only remain mute
shaking my head and scrubbed
my eyes to find her sitting on the floor right next to me there

She lay her heavy heavy head upon
my knee and cocked her neck
to gaze up at me so serene and calm
like this was commonplace

To speak with a blue turtle from the aged picture on my wall How? I asked at which she smiled I had no idea a blue turtle could smile

Smile she did showing teeth
and tongue and she said it was time
for us to begin our trek to the sea
where we wanted to be after all

I felt a gust of wind and a cold
spray on my face tasted salt
on my lips and tried to stand up
finding flippers for feet

And a strong tail where my rump
should be then I twisted my neck
to find a shell on my back
glistening blue and gold against

A deep sunset surrounded by miles
and miles of soft sand that warmed
my soul from my top to my end
I asked her in turtle about her name

Again she smiled and she winked this time saying I had gotten it all wrong you see as she was a he and I was the she together we dove into the deep blue sea