Everything needs company

Turtles live forever, it seems.  This one has been with us since my son was five.  My son is now 27. Felix, the turtle, is still going strong.  He likes company.  He likes blueberries.  He likes his water changed on a regular basis.  He likes the lights on in his tank.  Time to get up he says this morning.  Turn on my lights, he says,  Now... blueberries... he says.  Clink  Clink  Clink.  Turtle Morse Code.

Everything needs company.

We wake to noises

Downstairs.

Clink

Clink

Clink

We fed the turtle blueberries

On a ceramic saucer

Last night.

Now the saucer,

Firmly gripped in his mouth,

Smashes

Against the glass.

Clink

Clink

Clink

For a mostly quiet creature,

He has found a voice.

Everything needs company.