“Herding Turtles” by Jane Beal

I was listening to a man
on the radio talking
about his dream of being

there when the animals
were marching onto the arc,
two by two, seven by seven.

He could feel the zebras
breathing on the back of his neck—
it was so real!

The turtles were going
so slowly, he feared
they would never make it

on board, but he heard
the voice of God say:
the turtles made it.

Of course they did!
The slowest would not be
left behind.

Herding turtles, the man
thought, ever after,
when feeling impatient.

Every turtle will come along
in his own time—
even a turtle-man.

Jane Beal
Sunflower Songs (2012)