To A Red Tortoise on a Spring at the Kitchen Window
©March 20th, 2017
By Vijaya Sundaram
Bright red tortoise with nose in the air,
With four paws waving, and head raised high,
Where do you go when I’m not there,
Sitting at your window facing the sky?
A blue disc shines (an alternate world).
The light slants in like slippery fish.
And dust motes dance in a dreaming whirl,
As the butter melts in a porcelain dish.
Do you visit the land of blue-sun skies,
And watch red rabbits race you down,
As you plod on serene, and sans surmise,
While the clouds pile high in a giant frown?
Do you waggle your head, you wrinkled thing,
And smile to yourself as you plod along,
And dream that you’re a bird on the wing,
While the earth simply fades into your song?
You are what you dream – now you’re a bird.
You soar up high, while you gaze ahead.
Then, without a sign, a sigh, a word,
You fall into sleep, your thoughts unsaid.
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