As machines plowed the earth with their steel and their might,
The tortoise nearby felt no delight.

The roadway was paved, and a wall grew long.
While the tortoise nearby heard the catbird’s song.

Many houses were built where before there were none,
And tortoise nearby basked in the sun.

As trees came down, they were burned in a pile;
The tortoise nearby did not laugh or smile.

The ancient one bobbed his head up and down,
Then entered his burrow way deep in the ground.

For, you see, there was nothing the tortoise could do.
Do you ever feel like a tortoise, too?

by: Carol Hardee





 

Poem copyright © 2002 by Carol Hardee ~ Wildlife Rehabilitator
Photo copyright © 2007 by Linda Sweeney