Lucy the Tortoise

Mindful Stone Day 5

After being gently removed from her hiding place
beneath the orangutan
where she has remained nearly motionless for four days,
she loudly hisses realizing it is that time again.

Basking on her log following a hydrating bath,
I see her peek up at me and
I know in that moment
she is asking me to feed her,
too tired to move from her log to feed herself.

Offering her a piece of her favorite kind of lettuce
(the kind with thick white curved "roads"),
she opens her mouth wide and grabs at the nourishment
she needs between long winter naps.

And I am left gratified by her trust.