Pedestrian

On our way to the grocer’s

We happened upon

A snapping turtle. He lay

In the middle of the road

Immobilized by the sun,

Not able to turn

Back to the curb,

Back to his molten pond.

His barbed mouth

Parted as we neared.

A black tongue

Did not pant or bark.

Only a hiss

Issued from the shell of him:

An Egyptian curse

Released from a pried tomb

Without clasps

Or locks to pick, nor booby traps.

His forehead

Never mirrored

The heat and his stomach

Never sighed.

He lay ready to exert

A century of effort into one step,

His elephantine legs

Buried to the knees in gravel,

His brontosauric tail

Susurrating behind.