Turtle's Back

Out of a swamp, a Turtle emerged
He was full of mud and rock, Dying of thirst
Out from some pebbles, a lizard came
The turtle said, Hello.
What might be your name?
 
The lizard gave the turtle, an awful odd stare
and then he questioned, "What is that you wear?"
This little lizard, he was quite inquisitive
For the shell of the Turtle, looked as though he'd lived
 
More than a few years
The turtle shared his story, as his eyes filled up with tears
The markings, of his speckled shell
revealed that his life, had not gone too well
 
He said, where I was born-by the beauty of the sea
There came by a woman, and she captured me
She put me in her room, and my color she took
Then she neglected me, now see how I look
 
The lizard replied, You don't look too shabby
That is what you think, Lizard.
But no one wants to have me
 
The turtle's face, looked very much forlorn
and the Lizard told him-But that's not your true form
Let me check, I think my brother is home
We will wash your shell for you, and you will no longer need to roam
 
The Lizard, went and got his brother
who in turn, brought many others
They scrubbed and they scratched
The entire shell, on the Turtle's back
 
The turtle could not see himself
So he would not believe
when they told him he was beautiful
He was inclined to leave
 
How could one, with such an ugly shell
ever believe in anything, especially himself
He looked back into the muddy waters, from which he had escaped
and almost returned there, Til the lizards said, Now you just wait.
 
Then they all guided the turtle to a spring, it was crystal clear.
Now please tell me Turtle friend-Do you believe in what you hear?
The turtle felt ashamed, after the lizards had spent so much time
He said I'm very sorry, I believe I look just fine.
 
What? said the Lizard, You look superb!
You are right, said the Turtle. I think I'll take your word
Fate had decided, it mattered not they each had a different mother
The turtle said, We are much more than friends, I'd like to call you brother
And from that day forward, nothing could ever separate
A friendship meant to be, that we like to call Fate