We are like the turtle you rescued from the road
Only to be placed in a small tank
With not enough water
And he’s not eating
I keep telling you he needs to go free
But the small child protests
So he’s still in that tank
With not enough water
And he’s not eating
I dreamt I was setting him free
But found myself in my childhood house
And my father returned from the store
With grapes and mixed greens
Which the turtle crisply munched
Then he rested his head contently
And I petted him like a puppy
I awoke and there he is
Much smaller than in my dream
Still in that tank
With not enough water
And he hasn’t eaten
Do I set him free?
Do I go to the store and buy grapes and mixed greens?
It was so good to talk to my dad last night
When he asked, How’s the family? I said, We’re fine
But here we are
Still in this small tank
With not enough water
Hungering for something more
Small Burdens 
Last October, I set free a red-eared slider in the creek by my apartment. He (well, Henry, gender uncertain) had been in a small tank at my ex’s and kids for 10 years. Another red-eared lives in the creek.
Didn’t see him again, despite looking almost daily.
Until last week.
Different part of the creek, on a rock, sunning. So he made it through the winter. Wasn’t sure, but I figured, better to die free than live caged. Except he’s living free now.
That’s great that he made it through the winter! The turtle in our tank is a baby painted turtle I think. This morning after posting this I offered him a blackberry and he chomped a few bites. We’ve also offered him worms in which he seems to have no interest!
and always better to die free than to live caged, I think!
We set him free today.
I’m glad to hear this. You’ve got this feel for and through the animals. Pretty amazing.
Thank you! I think there are a couple of animal poems yet to be written – one about a recent pet Kitty and one about my childhood dog! Your comment just made me realize that!