The Red-Eared Sliders at Morningside Park
You tell me that these turtles who swim here,
throng this green pond and give us joy, were pets.
One by one by one, people set them free,
for school was over and childhood was done.
Turtles seem happy with ponds to swim in,
fish and weeds to eat, warm rocks to bask on.
Or do they throng the shore, look for the one
who gave them names, gave them food, gave them love?
All in vain. They dwell in this pond, all ponds
in New York City, make them stale, murky.
They’ve driven out the wild ones. Large snappers
who hide beneath rocks, who flinch at noises
humans make once we see turtles swim past.
Sliders don’t mind loud voices, lights at night.
They know us. They know us all too well.
It's why they can live with us, give us joy.
Copyright 2025 by Marianne Szlyk
Bio:
Marianne Szlyk and her husband sometimes go up to NYC for part of their summer vacation. Her most recent book of poetry is Why We Never Visited the Elms (available on Amazon and from the author), and she is also publishing fiction these days, mostly in Mad Swirl, Piker’s Press, and Impspired.
Donation Appeal:
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Thank you.
30 for 30 is sponsored by Potomac Review
