Turtles in the Sun

Turtles in the Sun, 2 April 2020

Walking out in the bold noonday light
after these million years of cold and sullen darkness,
after nightmares, this world—the thing itself—
appears dreamlike, no—dreamed up, 
imagined as an answer to the infecting air
and every neighbor's murderous breath.

Twenty-seven un-isolated turtles in the sun
bask on two logs not more than a yard apart,
the little ones bobbing toward home base. 

Oblivious geese strafing the whole damn pond
searching for sex no doubt
as they should this glorious God-blessed April day. 

This is no conclusion
except to say, 
to you I love what ways I can—
this is no conclusion. 

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Dr. Joe Martyn Ricke is Professor of English at Taylor University. He is a poet, musician, actor, and Director of the Center for the Study of C.S. Lewis & Friends.