Honu

FredPeyer

Living blissfully in a time of now

With non existent future and past

Languid strokes powerful, but slow

Turquoise water, ocean so vast

 

Seeking the sands from long ago

No respite, always on the move

Surfing waves, gliding with the flow

Steadily staying in the groove

 

Instinct driving her back to the sand

Where thousands of miles away

She had left her eggshell behind and

Reached for the ocean by the bay

 

Searching unconsciously for her roots

Leaving the comfortable life behind

To where mind and matter transduce

Purpose and dream are closely entwined

 

Magnetic waves commingle with tides

Internal maps, with accuracy unmatched

Leading relentless, acting as guides

To the beach where they were hatched

 

Seeking dry sand and a suitable place

The Honu begins a beguiling dance

Flippers beating at increasing pace

Digging the nest as if in a trance

 

Laying the eggs is priority one

With tears running down the beak

the Honu slows, is finally done

returns to the water spent and weak

 

 

Note: How the Honus find the beach where they were born

is still a mystery, but some researchers think that they

rely on Earth’s magnetic field.

  • Author: Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: August 31st, 2017 03:29
  • Comment from author about the poem: Turtles are one of the oldest creatures on earth. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, known as “Honu,” symbolizes good luck, endurance and long life. Turtles can show up as a person’s guardian spirit, known as “Aumakua.” Legend states that a green sea turtle guided the first Polynesian settlers to the islands. In historic days, only the Alii (Ruling Class) were allowed to consume turtles as food. In modern times, sea turtles are protected by the Endangered Species act and there are severe penalties just for giving them 'stinkeye'.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 36
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Comments +

Comments10

  • dusk arising

    Such amazing creatures, noble and graceful. So often we see on our screens the poor little new hatchlings scurrying down to the water decimated by predation. Lovely reading Fred.

    • FredPeyer

      Thank you d a! It is estimated that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings makes it to adulthood, that is only 1/10th of 1 percent. But then, they do lay a lot of eggs.

    • Michael Edwards

      Super write about a fabulous creature - err but had to google stinkeye - now a wiser man.

      • FredPeyer

        Thanks, Michael!
        And here is the urban dictionary explanation for stink eye:

        - a surfer term meaning a glare or lingering dirty look
        (when that dude stole my wave I gave him total stink eye)

        - The Hawaiian pidgin term for a hard, scornful glare.
        (I not doin' anykine when some lolo turn an give me stink eye cuz he like beef. English translation: I wasn't doing anything when some fool turned and gave me a hard look because he wanted to fight.)

      • Goldfinch60

        Turtles are amazing creatures, your words do them a great tribute,

        • FredPeyer

          Thank you Goldfinch. I love to watch them.

        • poetboy123

          They are amazing creatures and we must fix our mistakes so animals like them don't have to pay for it.

          • FredPeyer

            Thanks, poetboy, you are right. People don't think that trash they throw into the ocean can be deadly for many of the ocean's inhabitants.

            • poetboy123

              Indeed, and soon with climate change the acidity in the ocean will rise and there will be a mass extinction of many aquatic species. I mean, at least 150 species of organisms are killed each day, yet I doubt we will care until the above mentioned occurs.

            • Christina8

              This is an amazing piece of poetry and is a testament of the sea turtles will to survive. Thanks for writing about these wonderful creatures. Wonderful!

              • FredPeyer

                Thank you so much Christina, the turtles deserve the attention!

              • myself and me

                If Honus can read, they will give you a kiss for such a beautiful poem.

                • FredPeyer

                  Thanks M&M, but I stay away from that beak! That kiss could hurt a lot!

                • MaddieJ

                  I adore sea turtles! Though, I've never gotten to see one up-close. Only through the tanks at the aquarium. Really loved this poem, it took me into the life of the sea turtle. Great job!

                  • FredPeyer

                    Thank you so much for your comment!

                    • MaddieJ

                      You're very welcome!

                    • malubotelho

                      Beautiful poem Fred. I enjoyed reading very much. I've tried to google to see the bird but they gave me too many examples. They might have a different name here.

                    • malubotelho

                      After sending my comments I went back and saw that they not birds but turtles. Sorry for my mistake.

                      • FredPeyer

                        No problem, Malu, thank you for reading and your nice comment!

                      • Heather T

                        Last year, I visited our sea turtle rescue and rehab in the Outer Banks. Amazing creatures. Lovely write, worthy muse.

                        • FredPeyer

                          Thanks so much Heather, for reading and commenting. They are amazing creatures, no doubt. I love to watch them, but they are not easy to spot.



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