26 April 2013

I Am Turtle


I bear the world on my back
but not as burden, shell strength
shared as old ones do. I'm keeper
of the doors between land
and water; shores are doorways to
other realms. Slow to earth's
pace, meet primal mother.
Feminine marks my body,
grounded, skilled
to survive, ancient
beyond remembering,
all I need
available.





In response to Shay's Fireblossom Friday challenge at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads to make an inner transformation to an animal. And for G-man for Friday Flash 55. Photo by my friend, Annee Delaware taken in Madrid.

42 comments:

  1. The image of woman as turtle is a strong image. I have a lot of admiration for turtles. They are definitely skilled in survival with the strength of their shell!

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    1. They have lots to teach us and we share characteristics.

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  2. I'm keeper
    of the doors between land
    and water..

    I love this image, and the comparison of woman to turtle is unexpected and memorable.

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    1. Thanks, Kerry, I appreciated this challenge to access this insight.

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  3. This was simply gorgeous!

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  4. I'm glad that you chose the humble turtle, to express yourself as. Like the song says, women...er, turtles....do know how to carry on!

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    1. We do know how to carry on and turtle is our teacher. I liked this challenge, Shay.

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  5. What an interesting assignment! You possessed it!

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    1. Isn't it interesting? I liked getting into turtle's space.

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  6. I, also, chose the turtle. Quiet strength.

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    1. I like that we saw things from a different perspective.

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  7. This has a lot of depth to its slowmoving circle of life, Mary. Indeed, one of the strongest instincts of the feminine is to draw ourselves around what we love and protect it with our very selves, so that the shell is not a burden, but a home.

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    1. A home for us and strength for those we love. Turtle has much to teach us.

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  8. very cool...and women, mothers do tend to carry the world...or at least the house on their backs...and def set the temperature of the home as well...smiles...

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    1. There's so much for us to draw inspiration and strength from as women in studying turtle.

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  9. I have a pet turtle and tortoise. Was happy to see you chose this ancient totem so filled with wisdom and resourcefulness and definitely grounded. You use such beautiful phrases. Adore "shores are doorways to other realms". Beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Maggie. How special for you to live and learn from these ancient ones. Shore are transition places and therefore doorways to other realms.

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  10. How delightful to have a turtle within you...a turtle carries home wherever it goes. I love the beauty of that.

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    1. As do I. We can be humbled by their inherent wisdom.

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  11. Turtles are never homeless !
    And they are never impatient
    A fine example to us all
    Loved your reptilian 55
    Thanks for playing thanks for your support
    You Rock Mary
    Have a Kick Ass Week End

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    1. And they are the oldest of the reptiles. Have a great w/e yourself. We're having a festa to one of the saints here but I prefer to get my inspiration from these old ones.

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  12. I love the dignity and calm of this.

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  13. Shells tough as nails, patience galore, survivors ... yes, that describes women to a T.

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    1. Their underside has thirteen sections like the thirteen full moons in a year, so turtle energy has been associated with woman. Good role model.

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  14. I loved this poem very much, especially "I'm keeper of the doors between land and water".........wonderful! I love that you chose a turtle, too.

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  15. I too love that line:
    "I'm keeper of the doors between land and water."
    I have saved a few turtles and so admire their inner strength :D

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    1. A good creature to save. My daughter lives in Trinidad and we've gone up to the North Shore to watch the giant leatherback turtles come up on the beach at night to lay their eggs. It was a highlight moment in my life and filled me with awe.

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  16. very cool...the carrying without finding it a burden....the keeper
    of the doors between land
    and water esp. moved me... and the contentment in the last lines esp.

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  17. Nice link between land, water and other realms...

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    1. Those transition places - an opening to those realms.

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  18. How beautiful to think of turtle at the point between land and water, the physical and spiritual. And feminine!

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    1. Yes, the physical, the spiritual, the feminine.

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  19. A pace slow but resolute hardens the bond between us and nature, the woman sees it through, keeps the connection.

    Nicely portrayed, well written.

    Cheers!

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