Tortoise

From the book "Selected Sonnets"
 

​

I am born with a safeguard, my shell
shields me from ridicule, contempt and non-sense.
The mercy to parry these scorns imprint and spell
on my sturdy carapace, it’s a solid fence.

To fend off the disdain, I’m obstinate to
walk slowly, watch every step, keep my
mouth shut, contract my neck, drab and true.
An unyielding faith, never question or ask why.

Everyone laughs at my scraping, inch by inch.
Yet no one lives and drags longer than me.
I wonder who dares to race me? I will clinch
the last laugh. Life by life, they all die and flee.

If you say I have a hidden back bone,
I agree. I'm always in my august zone.