If I Could Talk to the Animals, Just Imagine It

The spotted salamander —
one —
on an incline, dying
cradled and
tucked under leaves
for safe keeping
then
two:
an old red fox,
lame and confused,
shepherded
patiently
off the road,
and three:
prehistoric
giant turtle
trapped
near a fence
of iron and wire
and me
with a stick
coaxing
this way, this way
like a kinder, gentler
St. Patrick
wondering
did Noah ever weep?

With a nod to Dr. Dolittle, the Rex Harrison version…of course. Photo and poem ©2018, Jen Payne. If you like this poem, then check out my book Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind! BUY THE BOOK TODAY!