Turtle Memories

An Atlantic City turtle out for a good time

I am a turtle hatched from a shell
On a beach. I think, Atlantic City
Not born in a hospital, as that’s for people
So I leave to find the comfort of the sea
Safe in the company of my little army

There on the shore of sands I crawl
In armored green and flapping flippers as feet
Not to be defeated by the angry sea gulls
Screaming, scrambling for free meat

Dive bombing Kamikaze enemies rain down
Being picked off one by one is not an option
As we have numbers on our side to survive
Marching awkwardly toward death or freedom

On sands of white and peppered grains of gray
I stand for turtles everywhere with hunger
A slice of pizza would be nice
Or an ice cold sherbet to quench the thirst

But the boardwalk is so far away and hard to climb

I have no money in my pockets
I have no pockets as I’m reminded
Only memories of mommy
And she insists that I eat fishies