An Ode To An Amphibian

You don’t have to pitch a tent Nor build a house to stay When thousands wander weary and vexed Without a home or place to rest, You own a house with a magic door That opens at will without key or latch Well protected from all wicked wight Safe from all robbers, rowdies and rodents No evil spirits, vampires or ghouls Dare to disturb it at any rate It is stronger than all structures extant Built in mortar, bricks or rocks You are monarch of a larger empire Land and water are under your sway Free to enjoy the treasures of the sea And feast on the wonders of the land You are companion to ravenous shark Darting spectres through azure dark And monsters that savagely roam the deep With their uncouth gambols and abrupt leap You love strolling along slimy strands And dive down along with laughing waves You bury your eggs on sandy shores And guard your progeny from all snares You are another name for alertness and caution You make sure that all around is safe and secure Before you come out from your rocky shelter But shrink back at once when dangers lurk You carry on your back your home and shelter Built so compact to guard from all external threat Oh! Turtle, we deem you blessed under your carapace But perhaps you may have a different tale to tell For all that we see or seem to see Aren’t they truths far removed from the truth?