Snapper

I saw him on the opposite side of the road.

He was a big shadow

In the light of the pavement

And as I got closer 

I could see that he was moving.

There was a bend just ahead

And I knew he didn’t stand a chance.

I spontaneously pulled over

While the driver behind me

Laid on the horn

Driving past.

There were no other cars.

I quickly found a stick

And moved towards him.

It was spring

And the only turtle crossing a road

Would be a male

Looking for a female.

It wouldn’t be for food

As there was plenty of that

In the stream and pond

Behind him

So I decided it would be better

To get him across

Than usher him back

As he would just be doing

The same thing all over again.

He didn’t like me at all

And he let me know it.

He arched his neck

Opening his vice jaws wide

And hissed sharply.

He was a big boy.

I played the stick in front of him

Tapping it on the ground

Then quickly moved it towards his head.

He took the bait.

He snapped at it

And got his teeth in real good.

I let him honker down

And picked him up

So frikken fast

Running him across the road

Before his claws could

Tear into my hands.

He was a BIG boy.

Just before he could comprehend

What was going on

And his talons 

Gained on my flesh

I dropped him into the grassy

Embankment

In front of my car

Parked on the other side 

Of the road

Where a female

Was waiting

Somewhere

Spared the sound

Of braking tires

And the cracking

Of an arriving lover’s shell

Ending his one great journey.

She would not experience

That kind of emptiness

As I watched him

Wood still in mouth

Move aggressively

As a turtle could

Into the protective underbrush

Of the paradise

That he so desperately sought

A mere 

Forty feet journey away.

We males

Will go to any lengths.

Even twenty feet

Of of well travelled unprotected pavement

To get what we want.

It’s dumb.

I know.