CROSSING PATHS

Photo by Ashlee Marie on Unsplash

Last week I crossed path with a giant turtle

Caught in the middle of its journey

Across a busy highway.

With no safe shoulder

I stopped a football field away,

Dodged on-coming traffic

As I trotted towards this innocent being,

Whose path our progress had stifled.

Upon arrival I discovered the cracks,

Chunks of flesh

Sacrificed to vultures and ants.

Still, I stopped traffic to carry it home.

It sought the marsh

And I sought deliverance.

As I gazed deeply into its eyes

Searching against hope for signs of life

I found instead something deeper

Surrender.

And so I set it along the edge

Where new life can spring

From its offering.

As I walked back to my car

Many slowed to ask if I needed help

“No thanks” I said

“Turtle rescue”.

The nods and cheers

Mixed with tears,

Only I know who rescued who.