The Turtle

He was a large brown tortoise 

He was over fifty years old

He lived on an island 

Far from the large city 

He loved the color of the sea

It was a light turquoise 

Which glimmered when the sun hit it like diamonds 

It was always warm but not hot

The weather was perfect 

The waves made a rhythmic sound when hitting the shore 

Sometimes he would wade out into the water eventually swimming to the bottom 

The sand was soft as silk

He was looking for food

Slowly he swam and walked around until he found it

He stopped to feed on the coral 

Loosening parts of it as he ate

This was his favorite meal 

As he ate a school of brightly colored fish swam up to join him

They ate the loosened pieces of coral and algae grateful to their friend the tortoise 

When he was done eating he swam back to the surface walking back to the shore

He found a rock on which to settle as he was feeling sleepy after eating 

He pulled his head into his shell closing his eyes and napped 

While he slept the birds flew by looking for fish

A cruise ship appeared moving slowly towards the city port

Local folk moved about 

Music played in the background 

As another day unfolded 

Beautiful flowers were all around 

Their sweet smell filled the air

Like expensive perfume 

Markets were full of fruits and vegetables 

Artifacts and local wares lined the shelves of shops getting ready for the visitors 

Soft island breezes blew swaying the palm trees to and fro rustling their leaves creating a muted noise 

It was a peaceful time on the island 

It was home to the tortoise 

He traveled from time to time

Sometimes far away but always came back to this island 

It was home