He sits on the rock, in the middle of the pond
stretching his limbs wide, he basks in the sun

He is unaware that the pond, his home
which rests at the base of Belvedere Castle, in Central Park
is named in his honor, the Turtle Pond

He is unaware of his braveness, his triumph
‘he’ survived the long brutal winter,
or maybe this is his way of flaunting his victory,

In deep thought….
as I stand here, enjoying his sight
he reminds me of the famous saying,
you never know how strong you are,
until being strong is your only choice.