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MASSAGING THIS TURTLEBefore the land existed there was only water ... After many had failed, toad dove deep into the water ... Bringing the Earth up from the depths and placed it on Turtle's back. At once the Earth began to grow larger and larger until it became the whole world.Woodlands Indians story of how the Earth came into being She rocks my shell slowly ploughs the field long abandon, She loosens compacted shoulder soil. Take a deep breath now ... She digs to let the light in, air, Water flows down trenches through clotted loam in fields ready to plant. Water seeps though black earth hardened rock, drips through cave cracks where drops trickle to an underground stream, flows out to a lost pond. In the center, a turtle floats, dives deep underwater, sinks to the bottom. Turtle finds no enemies, no threats Lies between rocks as a rock. Water stirs far above Gently rocking, rocking my shell. I slip out for one moment, leave my shell behind. This turtle, lies pink and naked on the bottom I take a breath, float up and up to find finger spades smoothing earth in place. Turn over Please. Turtle complies, dissolves my shoulders loose enough to grow seeds of ease. Her hands gather hair shafts, form sheaves and sheaves of golden wheat. My face loosens by fingers that slide, stop, release Rest now ... Milkweed seeds blow free in autumn breeze. Copyright 2000 Robin Lopez Lysne |