Turtle

I floated in the dappled sea

and turtle floated under me:

wavering like a dream as deep as sleep,

patchwork mosaic, light and shade,

jeweled in amber and in jade

under the sun’s un-winking beam.

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Ribbons of prisms patterning,

crochet the morning,

loose-knitting, knotting, netting,

enchanting, spelling magic.

Fig leaf patches,

skein of woven water,

dapple-dazzling,

secret girdle, ritual garment,

First Woman's gift

from Ancient Mother.

Patchwork quilt,

undulant under water,

leather-back puzzle, book of runes,

rainbow basket of light and shadow,

cornucopia of blessings

(earth, sky, fire, water)

wind-ruffled,

basking lazy now,

reflecting

this dancing dawn.

© Tamara Rasmussen 2018