Turtle

The deteriorated turtle stepped onto the charcoal pavement of Main Street. The hard sun beat down upon his shell revealing his life's scars. The scars were deep and reminded him everyday that life can be a gauntlet of poor choices and vicious predators. His leathery skin was a testament to his blue collar work ethic and a life spent out in the Kansas sun. He's a traveler now, searching, surviving. Each foot moves steadily forward, broken claws scraping against the hardened black tar. Each paw which once was so detailed had been burned and melted over the years, leaving only callused bark. The turtle could do nothing but walk and think, finding little nuggets of pleasure in his thoughts. The truth was that he no longer understood his identity or purpose. He could only understand that he needed to change his reflection to match the image of someone better, happier. Never be true to yourself, that only leads to more scars. Scars marked by some vicious beast, driven by a pot marked moon.

Under the turtle grew a single yellow line, a marker that provides some sort of measuring stick to a world gone endless. A turtles eye placement can vary from species to species. A majority of turtles have low set eyes which causes them to constantly look down. However, this turtle had very high set eyes and could therefore look ahead. Maybe it was all the years of punishment but while he could look forward he still studied the ground. He looked down as if he was not worthy of looking towards the horizon, towards hope. The turtle, deep in thought, had almost crossed the other lane not changing his pace or expression the whole time. A scraping noise came from a bush just off the road. He finally had a reason to look up. He studied the bush, much like most scholars study their moldy books looking for some sign of enlightening truth. Clumsily out of the bush tripped another turtle. It didn't take long to realize that it was a beautiful female turtle. She moved towards the road and as he studied her, he was overwhelmed by feelings of both regret and excitement. So many bad choices and yet so few opportunities was the history mapped on his back. His thoughts from a time that seemed so long ago came back to him. He was desperate to change his idea of himself. He was scared to though. He wrestled with himself, playing out both scenarios in his head. Should he hide himself in his shell or run toward her? If he gave her everything would it be enough? Could he fool her with his brazenness or would she except his soul? Would she understand him as one that needs help coming out of his shell? With no thought the male turtle dashes toward the beauty. It only took a split second to realize that his move was wrong. She saw him coming full speed and she herself backed away. She denied them joy. She destroyed him. It only took a second to realize he had made another mistake. While he was speedily racing toward his infatuation he misstepped. The turtle found himself crushed under a giant tire that came and passed faster than lightning.

Had the turtle curled up inside his comfortable shell he would have stayed safe. He would have not been crushed both inside and out. The turtle had had enough, he made his choice, he can't regret it.