India, Oct. 22 -- I am a Tortoise

I am inside the shellhard and so protectivemy neck so fragileI keep it pulled backsecure under a canopyiron strong

Away fromchitter chatter battling voicesclanging swordsthundering clouds

I am a happy tortoiseA bearing of steelover a bodywoolly and soft witha soul that never dies

Don't I have to carryThe whole earth on my back

*

I am an Elephant

I know not when I took a turnin the womb of my mother

I know the momentswhen I howled as I came out of the floating paradise

I am an elephantpregnant heavily with that memorymoment on moment

In search foreverfor the lost bliss

Hanging on hope as the peg of memory

*

I am an Ant

A spec in this humongous universe

That's the grain of truth I carry heavy...