Jacqueline Lucas
Night Ride
During the breeding season for tortoises
the male utters a hoarse roar or bellowing
which, it is said, can be heard at a distance of
more than one hundred yards
Do not Disturb
Darwin tells me.
The female never uses her voice
This perhaps is my mistake
as I edge towards my mate
and retrace Darwin’s footsteps
to the spot where you and I might lay our eggs.
My roar builds with time
with bitterness, regret
though silently I do as tortoises and turn my back
and bite my tongue
and hope the lumbering tender bellies
so plentiful at egging
give us some tips.
If I like Darwin, could ride their backs
but all contact is prohibited
No Bodily Exchange
But who’s to say I slip ashore one night
and sample a bellowing in silence.
Jacqueline Lucas writes short stories and poems. She is also a photographer at present working on a book of photographs of Tilda Swinton as well as being involved in selecting/reading/judging for the BFI short film competition and trying to make a baby!
Page(s) 74
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