Turtle collage I did a few years ago
The turtle totem wisdom teaches us about walking our path in peace and sticking to it with determination and serenity. Slow moving on earth, yet also incredibly fast and agile in water, those who have the turtle as totem or spirit animal may be encouraged to take a break in their busy lives and look around or within themselves for more grounded, long-lasting solutions. Traditionally, the turtle is symbolic of the way of peace, whether it’s inviting us to cultivate peace of mind or a peaceful relationship with our environment.
she travels her slow-moving world.
when grounded she takes baby steps,
smells posies, then sleeps in tall grass;
cooled in shade, at peace with being.
as lifetimes and seasons speed by,
she travels her slow-moving world.
suspended, her animation,
as she groks each being’s notions.
in water’s domain she’s huntress
for minnows and mates; she excels.
she travels her slow-moving world,
dreaming, satisfied, on a log.
patient queen of her domain, she
welcomes kind spirit friends to tea
wherever she happens to be (as)
she travels her slow-moving world.
above quote from Turtle Spirit Animal
(based on quiz here)
Colleen Chesebro is the host of Tanka Tuesday. Colleen says:
Take the quiz and write a syllabic poem about our revealed spirit animal.
Mish is today’s host for dVerse’ Open Link Night. I’m writing to Grace’s prompt to write a quatern on 5/25.
Tao Talk 
Fascinating way of the turtle, as I “grok”. In any event, “she travels”. Impressive refrain.
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Thank you and happy you liked the poem.
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love this Lisa! I think you did a great job on this poem! Well done!
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Thanks much, Carol Anne :)
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A lovely embodiment of a special spirit. I love turtles. (K)
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Thank you, K. I do too. I’m always happy to see one.
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Me too.
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Sedate and wise turtle.
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Thanks much, Sadje.
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My pleasure
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With life seemingly ever becoming more hectic, I guess we can all learn from turtles that moving more slowly may get you further. Plus, check out that turtle in your lovely collage. She looks quite happy to me!
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Christian, I think you’re right about taking things easy. Save the energy for when it is needed. Thank you and sometimes I wonder how these collages come together. I like her also, carrying her bouquet of posies with her.
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Lovely poem, MsJade. You brought in the turtle’s traits beautifully. 😊
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Gwen thank you very much :)
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This is so beautiful, Lisa! I felt at peace while reading it.
Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Yvette, thank you and so glad it had that effect on you <3
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This is so lovely, Lisa! I could see the turtle, shuffling along with baby steps and smelling posies. I like the repeated line that emphasises her slowness, especially when juxtaposed with ‘as lifetimes and seasons speed by’.
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Thanks much, Kim :)
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My pleasure!
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First off, I can really appreciate the theme of the poem, as I’ve so many Indigenous friends and past co-workers who value their spirit animals. I like the contrasts you make of “huntress” to “patient queen of her domain”. In a nearby park, recently I met a painted turtle, sat down, made eye contact and had a chat. Such interesting creatures…..the human ones too. :)
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What a lovely comment, Mish. Happy you connected with it <3
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This is gorgeously encapsulated, Lisa! I especially like; “in water’s domain she’s huntress for minnows and mates; she excels. she travels her slow-moving world, dreaming, satisfied, on a log.” ❤️❤️
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Thanks much, Sanaa <3
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I love it. I got turtle as well.😊
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Cool :) I’ll look for your poem on Tanka Tuesday. I can’t think of a better spirit animal for a guide.
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A beautiful collage, Lisa. I love your poem as well. Turtles are such great animals to observe… they don’t run away!! :>)
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Thank you very much, Dwight. Glad you enjoyed them. I saw a big one on a log on our Tuesday long ride but only from a distance. And no, they do not run away :)
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You are welcome! :>)
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Turtles do indeed give us messages about life. A giant turtle crossed my path a few weeks back on my walk. It was headed back to the lake. I was amazed how ancient the turtle looked and thought surely it is wise to have lived so long.
Your poem is reflective and she def has an easy going nature.
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Truedessa, thank you for your thoughtful comment. How very cool to have one cross your path.
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So beautiful and insightful :)
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D.L., thank you very much <3
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A fine, grounded, squared-to-Earth totem. We need fewer eagles and more turtles!
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AMEN. Those perched, waiting for opportunities to swoop, have a totally different vibe don’t they.
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This was a really lovely reflection on the turtle. It made me feel at peace reading it.
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So happy to hear it, Merril. Thank you.
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You’re welcome, Lisa!
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Beautiful, Lisa! I love turtles. 🐢
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Thank you! I do also :)
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that repeat personifies the creature – a line of grace and dignity.
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Thanks for sharing what you see here, Laura.
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A turtle despite its slowness offers lots of learning and lessons on their winning ways. Love your emphasizing this advantage Lisa! Enjoyed your poem, Ma’am!
Hank
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Hank, thank you for your acknowledgement of and appreciation for the turtle spirit. Glad you enjoyed the poem :)
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This is lovely, I’ve enjoyed discovering your blog today. And this poem, I’m a great believer in going slow and enjoying and savouring each moment!
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Thanks, Marje, and I agree about that philosophy.
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It might seem odd to say – but – I love how this poem is as I imagine you from your writing and responses – the depth of you, especially “welcomes kind spirits …”
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Paul, not odd at all. Thank you <3
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Very welcome Lisa :)
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