A lone turtle
that would fit in my cupped hands
bravely crosses the main street.

I turn my head away
as my stomach churns and
my heart – and my thoughts – start to race.

Now I understand
the mother born within me,
the guardian’s fear of failure…

As a red sedan careens past me,
and I doubt that anyone else heard
that sickening crunch.

© Sara Letourneau 2009
Published in the anthology “More Great Writing by People You’ve Never Heard Of”

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