Don’t you love coincidences? On Sunday I was lunching with two lovely new friends – Mary Wilson, Patron of the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust (which brought me here to Adelaide), and fellow writer Elizabeth Hutchins. We had a lovely lunch, but I did find myself slapping away more than one mosquito and found myself reciting a rhyme from a childhood favourite rhyme: ‘She snapped at a mosquito.’
Mary asked what the line was from, and I recited the whole rhyme which, I was surprised, neither of my friends knew:
There was a little turtle.
He lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle.
He climbed on the rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito.
He snapped at a flea.
He snapped at a minnow.
And he snapped at me.
He caught the mosquito.
He caught the flea.
He caught the minnow.
But he didn’t catch me.
And that would have been that, except that very next day I strolled through Adelaide’s parks, and came across a little fenced garden. When I entered I found a tranquil oasis, with paths and plants and grass, and a large pond. I sat for a moment – and then realised the pond was inhabited – by not just one or two turtles, but dozens of them.
What a surprise and how mesmerising to sit for a very long time and contemplate their gentle movements and the way they appeared and disappeared.
And, of course, this led to me pulling out not just my camera, but also my notepad. And, after a while, a poem draft.
Turtle Pace
Sometimes it feels
like you must
Madly paddle
just to stay afloat.
Others as if
each stroke
moves you
s l o w l y
in the right direction.
Either way
just remember
once in a while
to pop up for air
or to check out the scenery.
(Sally Murphy, 2023)
I’ve certainly been checking out the scenery here in Adelaide, but have also been making really good progress on my two novel projects. Life is good. You know what else is good? Poetry Friday. Catherine will be hosting the roundup today, and I’m off to see what other poetry goodies are on offer. See you there. Before you go, if need more turtle moments, here’s a little collation of my photos and videos.
I’ve been maddly paddling, Sally–I’m looking forward to some drifting/gliding in the future!
What a lovely spot! I can see why you were inspired, Sally. Thank you for sharing your serendipitous turtles with us.
Thanks Catherine 🙂
Sally, I have to say you have a good memory and that turtle in your video is quite large. The best part of your post is the new turtle poem that has a beautiful mantra for life. (I created a quick slideshow, Destination: Summer”s End and added your poem and George’s poem. See my post. Thanks for sharing.)
Not only could I recite that poem with you, I could SING it…because it was on a Burl Ives LP that we played over and over and over again growing up! When I saw your turtle pictures on IG, it came instantly to mind!
Oh yes! We had the Burl Ives record too! I LOVED Burl Ives.
That is some excellent turtle serendipity, Sally. What fun.
Impressed by your ‘turtle recall’ Sally. It is often amazing how these pieces of verse become entrenched. And what synchronicity to then encounter more of these fascinating little creatures in the parklands of Adelaide. Productive turtle time all round. Your old poem now has a friend.
Turtle recall! Love it. Thanks for the giggle.
I love both poems and watching turtles. It sounds like your time in Adelaide is productive.
Thanks Jone
Delightful post Sally, and I also remember Vachel Lindsey’s poem. Perhaps because I like turtles, and I like the divergence in your “Turtle Pace” poem—especially the remembering part! Thanks for the spin around the pond video too!
You are welcome Michelle. Thank you for visiting.
Sally, what a fun post. You are being inspired in Adelaide. I’m so glad you get to be with other creators and inspirers. Your novels are coming along. You are taking time to contemplate and enjoy the slow movements of the turtles. Yes, it is good to learn from nature. Enjoy!
Thank you Denise. I will!
I just love all the turtle delights in this post! I knew the Vachel Lindsey poem from childhood, though I wouldn’t have been able to recite the whole thing. I love your advice and I’m enjoying popping up for air right now as I’m on my October break from school. Hence the ability to read PF posts!
Thank you Ruth. Enjoy the break.
I can watch turtles for hours, too, Sally. I visited Adelaide in the late 80’s – sadly, I mostly remember it as our jumping off point to get to Uluru. Hope we’ll see more from your stay – when YOU come up for air!
Thank you Patricia. I tried to leave a comment on your own lovely post this week but got a message to say it was a duplicate comment and couldn’t be posted. I hope it made it through to you 🙂
Thank you for the reflective time this morning, Sally. Your turtle poem shows such empathy and your video reminds us to slow down sometimes and look at life at a turtle’s pace.
Thank you Tracey.
Yay for turtle moments and remembered rhymes! Sounds like you’ve been so nourished by your time in Adelaide. And so great that you’re making good progress on your writing projects. Go, Sally, go!
Thank you Irene x
I loved that poem. Early on in my teaching career it was a poem
My class would recite. I shared it with my granddaughters too.
I also love the 2023, turtle poem you shared
Thank you Sally
I loved it too, Christine – remember it from my childhood, then with my own children and in the classroom too.