the nature walk

the children
with their long pole nets
reach over
the rail
and scoop small turtles
off the logs
as they sun
and rest.
hard shelled and green,
their patterns
made in yellow stripes.
each kid holds
one, stroking their
backs,
searching for the heads
that have slipped inside
on long necks.
all is well
until one child, louder
than the rest,
raises his arm,
his hand
holding a turtle
and smashes it against
the sidewalk.
such is the world we
live in.