Turtle's Struggle

At the bottom
of a hill,
there is a small
turtle.

The turtle hides
in her shell
and peeks out
slowly.

Her muscles shake, the legs
come out.

"What a steep hill,"
she thinks,
"but I can
handle it."

She takes a step
forward and
retreats.

She stays inside
for a long time.

It's dark
in the shell,
and the sun beckons,
so she peeks out
again.

Muscles still shaking,
she takes a few
more steps.

It seems easier
somehow.

But her feet slip
on the gravel
and she tumbles.

Head aching, she
looks back
up the hill.

"Was the top always
that far away?"

The heart breaks
as she hides inside
a glass shell.

Yet there are voices
that sound like
cheers
somewhere in the distance.

Kind words
leak in
and the turtle
musters a little more
courage.

"One more time."

She slowly
lifts her head
up, and takes a
small step.

~~~

a little clarification

footnote

1. an explanatory or documenting note or comment at the bottom of a page, referring to a specific part of the text on the page.

2. a minor or tangential comment or event added or subordinated to a main statement or more important event.

"Authors may use a footnote to provide comments or extra information. Using a footnote allows authors to talk about matters ... without detracting from the primary focus of the text."

The footnote should not have detracted from the actual content of the poem at all. I only meant to ask for specific constructive criticism. Any unnecessary information was an error on my part. I took a risk of making myself vulnerable. It's a mistake that I am going to have to learn from. It's a lesson I'm going to have to deal with. It's an experience that I hope will make me stronger.

I am a writer. And these words that you read are my heart. What you see here are the fragments of my identity as I am crawling on my knees attempting to find that small light at the end of a long uphill tunnel.

You, who understand who you are. You, who are at peace with yourself. You, who can stand on your own. You, who do not falter. You don't know how much I admire you.

And for you, with your kind words and encouragement. I just want to say thank you.