while I think of peaceful things
and while the turtle’s dream is being fixed
he makes the mainstream simpler
atop the constant airwaves

so I let him feel something better
however one feels numbness
but surprising me -- that moment
a solitary drop escaped

sent like a letter, a sticker marked red
a warning that something still slithered in me
it was not about to leave
and I had better not forget it

so even when happily fixing the turtle’s dreams
with lily pads and fireflies as my tools
in the mainstream airways – I’m reminded
that I am not allowed to speak to turtles
2001