turtle totem

"Freedom is from within" Frank Lloyd Wright

my turtle totem came today in meditation
i neither urged it to stay, nor did i push it away
i watched the old soul lubbering from dried grasses
surrounding pond, layers of snow melting

slow but sure, turtle is lubbering in between
the transitions of crackling dry winter grasses
steps ancient, moving towards the clean sweet
waters of the amniotic  shelter, snuggled

for winter brings on everything
causing us to turn our shoulders inward,
turtle comes along with out an expression
practical dreamer with out plodding

just being here right now, teaching tender
bodies aligned with the earth, parallel functions
both practical  and ethereal meet in the middle-
a kiss at intermission draws the audience

inside the lines of congruence
sent here without postage
on the day we supped on cauliflower potage,
in the winter when we could not find a lousy grapefruit

tangerines rolling inside their skins,
with sheer embarrassment
for the way the world is turning out
like in ballet, building strong lithe limbs

further on in plie'--it's another story -altogether
captivating---for another audience
out on the balcony, for one more
round of moonlight sonata


Kate Lamberg

Setauket inlet~photo by Kate Lamberg