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.
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42 comments:

  1. Mary26 April, 2013 15:31

    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. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 22:46

      They have lots to teach us and we share characteristics.

      Delete
  2. Kerry O'Connor26 April, 2013 15:35

    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. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 22:47

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

      Delete
  3. TALON26 April, 2013 15:45

    This was simply gorgeous!

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  4. Fireblossom26 April, 2013 17:14

    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. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 22:49

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

      Delete
  5. Alice Audrey26 April, 2013 17:27

    Makes perfect sense to me.

    - Alice

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  6. Rosaria Williams26 April, 2013 17:54

    What an interesting assignment! You possessed it!

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    1. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 22:51

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

      Delete
  7. Lolamouse26 April, 2013 18:50

    I, also, chose the turtle. Quiet strength.

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    1. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 22:57

      I like that we saw things from a different perspective.

      Delete
  8. hedgewitch26 April, 2013 19:11

    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. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 22:58

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

      Delete
  9. Brian Miller26 April, 2013 21:47

    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. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 23:01

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

      Delete
  10. Maggie Grace26 April, 2013 22:25

    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. Grandmother Mary26 April, 2013 23:04

      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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  11. Susie Clevenger27 April, 2013 02:04

    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. Grandmother Mary27 April, 2013 10:18

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

      Delete
  12. g-man27 April, 2013 02:46

    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. Grandmother Mary27 April, 2013 10:20

      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.

      Delete
  13. Maude Lynn27 April, 2013 02:52

    I love the dignity and calm of this.

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  14. Helen27 April, 2013 04:22

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

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    1. Grandmother Mary27 April, 2013 10:23

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

      Delete
  15. Sherry Blue Sky27 April, 2013 05:00

    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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  16. Ella27 April, 2013 06:29

    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. Grandmother Mary27 April, 2013 10:28

      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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  17. Claudia27 April, 2013 13:35

    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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  18. Gabriele Agustini28 April, 2013 06:39

    Lovely!!!!

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  19. Jinksy28 April, 2013 16:02

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

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    1. Grandmother Mary29 April, 2013 23:27

      Those transition places - an opening to those realms.

      Delete
  20. Ruth29 April, 2013 12:33

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

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    1. Grandmother Mary29 April, 2013 23:28

      Yes, the physical, the spiritual, the feminine.

      Delete
  21. Jeff03 May, 2013 16:28

    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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