A skeptical turtle

pokes his head out

peering ahead

squinting in the sunlight

watches the other turtles bathing by the river

whence inside his shell

didn’t  like the topic last night

not sure if he agreed

that it was the best thing to sun bathe or not

the sun is too hot and

his legs are short and slow

easy prey for the children playing in the river

not wanting to be poked by a stick —

poking his head out

turning it left then right

pops his head in again

pulls in his feet

he’s done for the day