like the rest of the population,
I will be judged by how much time
I have spent on my back
breathless
writhing
struggling to find
an angle from which
I might stand again
with my vulnerable belly exposed to ceiling/sky,
I will wait
for the assistance of a tremor,
a muscular resonance
when it is over,
I will throw my legs wide and press my grateful face to the earth
I will breathe again.
(Image credit unknown)
Context:
ReplyDeleteTurtles can't breathe when they're on their backs. However, whether in captivity or in the wild, it's important that bystanders give them the opportunity to get back on their feet on their own before helping them, as turtles need to work the muscles utilized in righting themselves in order to survive. While the situation is distressing for the turtle, it is interesting to watch the muscular contortions that lead to the turtle standing again.
Wow. I love this. It's strangely sexual, but openly defiant! Once again, you sens eof rhythmn is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You and another reader have had completely different interpretations of this one and I love it. I don't want to sway anyone's opinion, so I'll send you a PM on FB about it.
ReplyDelete