Lost in the Weeds

Leatherback turtles, newly hatched, 
Dashing toward the moon’s light, 
Scampering, scurrying, scrambling, 
Eluding marauding Gulls and Frigatebirds. 
 
But this isn’t the ocean! 
Weeds.  Sand.  A wall. 
Tangled. Stranded.  Blocked. 
What do we do? 
Where do we go? 
 
“You’ve been fooled, little friends 
And your mama was fooled before you. 
She laid her eggs facing the light, 
Thinking it was the moon. 
But no, it’s man-made: 
Lights from a beachfront dwelling. 
 
“Now you’ve emerged  
On the path she laid for you: 
Heading toward false light. 
Let me lift you; 
Let me point you to the true moon.”

Leatherback turtles, newly hatched, 
Running toward the true moon’s light, 
Scampering, scurrying, scrambling,  
Eluding marauding Gulls and Frigatebirds, 
Finding their home in the sea. 
 
And I—though fooled by false moons at times, 
Blocked by walls, lost in the weeds, 
Pursuing illusory paths others have laid— 
I have been lifted and set on a path 
Toward the True Light of Life. 

~ Kathryn Kircher, poet
~ Deana Harvey, painter