Oliver

As a kid,

I had a captured turtle named Oliver.

Same as the ones in the koi pond.

Ollie was a bit smaller. 

And Ollie had no companions,

Besides the mosquitoes.

So we returned Ollie to the lake.

The murky, neglected park lake.

Where Ollie had never been before.

I wish it had been this pond.

With ripples alluringly soft,

I may melt into the surface if I touch.

Where the fake Ollies get to bask in a peaceful Sun.

With a caressing breeze,

On a day where Spring teases its joys.

That makes me envy the little sun bathers.

And sad for the captured Oliver.

As I am sitting here,

Fighting back tears,

In a place I can only describe,

And not feel.

-Verdure