. . . . . . . Because I Think Of Because I think of the earth revolving on the back of a giant tortoise, I imagine perfection. Because I think of water flowing swiftly, carrying all turtles to safety, far beyond the poacher’s net, I imagine hope. Because I think of the sun warming the black shells of the South American giant river turtles, who had left the river as one group, talking, reassuring, in tones too low for an adult human ear, I imagine community. Because I think of the air that surrounds us, drifting upon the surface of a pond, where a turtle’s head is breaking that surface, breathing the same life-giving oxygen, I imagine a shared destiny... And because I think, I sometimes get angry, then slowly in defense of perfection I begin to shoulder my weight against a force that is difficult to describe or stop. I then imagine I have strength.