Leatherback, Loggerhead, Or Just Turtle: Poem Analysis
Michael Milosevich
Professor DeGraffenreid
English 102-WI2015-15103
25 January 2015
Leatherback, Loggerhead, or Just Turtle Kay Ryan’s Turtle on first read is nothing more than a poem about a stodgy turtle and it’s below average life, but the author is undoubtedly articulating life and how humankind struggle throughout each awakening day just to survive. Front page material screams murder, mayhem and the apocalypse to the multitude on a daily basis reinforcing what a challenge it is to exist. Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, because they are soft and enjoy affection and sometimes playful interaction. After a hard day of laboring through the grease and grim at your pitiful factory job, you come home and meeting you at the door is a 77 year old desert tortoise. You reach down to stroke the turtle, and it retracts its head into its shell because it wants nothing to do with you, starting to feel threatened it snaps at your …show more content…
Ryan gives the turtle not a name, but describes it as “her”. The female or egg laying half of the turtle race who not only has to find food through any means possible, but carry the future while doing so. This responsibility was not by her own choice, it was handed down to her by nature. Gathering food is not something civilized people do on a regular basis; they simple order while resting comfortably in their air conditioned vehicle while listening to their favorite AC/DC soundtrack. On the other hand, the turtle is dangerously rowing with its four stubby legs towards its meager reward of grass. She is moving so slow and deliberately that any number of creatures could easily stop her quest for nourishment. Ryan pens the word rowing, but turtles cannot row. Those slow, deliberate strokes symbolize just how hard any movement is for this leatherback just to find
Professor DeGraffenreid
English 102-WI2015-15103
25 January 2015
Leatherback, Loggerhead, or Just Turtle Kay Ryan’s Turtle on first read is nothing more than a poem about a stodgy turtle and it’s below average life, but the author is undoubtedly articulating life and how humankind struggle throughout each awakening day just to survive. Front page material screams murder, mayhem and the apocalypse to the multitude on a daily basis reinforcing what a challenge it is to exist. Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, because they are soft and enjoy affection and sometimes playful interaction. After a hard day of laboring through the grease and grim at your pitiful factory job, you come home and meeting you at the door is a 77 year old desert tortoise. You reach down to stroke the turtle, and it retracts its head into its shell because it wants nothing to do with you, starting to feel threatened it snaps at your …show more content…
Ryan gives the turtle not a name, but describes it as “her”. The female or egg laying half of the turtle race who not only has to find food through any means possible, but carry the future while doing so. This responsibility was not by her own choice, it was handed down to her by nature. Gathering food is not something civilized people do on a regular basis; they simple order while resting comfortably in their air conditioned vehicle while listening to their favorite AC/DC soundtrack. On the other hand, the turtle is dangerously rowing with its four stubby legs towards its meager reward of grass. She is moving so slow and deliberately that any number of creatures could easily stop her quest for nourishment. Ryan pens the word rowing, but turtles cannot row. Those slow, deliberate strokes symbolize just how hard any movement is for this leatherback just to find