The Tortoise Race

The human race is too competitive.
I think I'd like to join the tortoise race.

I could find a cardboard box,
Paint it green and gray,
Cut out holes for my arms, legs, and head,
And crawl my way out of this stinking city
To the forest, where I would live off the plant life
And insects, if I was so inclined.

If I came across a fellow tortoise,
I'd bow to him, to prove that I didn't
Think myself superior because of my size,
And we would be friends, and he would
Show me the ropes of being a tortoise,
Introduce me to a possible mate, perhaps.
And the best part is, all of this would happen
Very slowly, just at the pace I like.

I would be able to sleep as late as I like,
My body snug in the darkness
Of my warm little shell.
I would move my arms and legs
Over the muddy surface by the river--
"Mud angels" I'd call the imprints I left there.
From my place beneath the trees,
I'd spend all day watching the sun move overhead,
And all night counting stars.

And I would be content in my laziness,
No human bustle to make me envious
Or lust-crazed. And when I did decide
To take action, I'd do it slowly,
Deliberately, the way a child learns
To play with a new toy.

Yes, it would be nice to join the tortoise race,
If I only had the nerve to leave the human one behind.