Culebra Leatherbacks
Editorial Introduction. — This section is devoted to poetry involving turtles, representing either reprinted previously published or new unpublished material. We encourage our readers to submit poetry or songs for consideration, either their own material or work by other authors. Poems may be submitted to Anders G.J. Rhodin at Chelonian Research Foundation [RhodinCRF@aol.com].
Our desire is to share with our readers the beauty and wonder of turtles as expressed through the art of the poem or song. In the sense that the relationship between man and turtles is multifaceted, so too is turtle poetry. The poems we publish here will reflect that complexity, from poems of pure admiration for the creatures themselves to others reflecting the utilization of turtles and their products. Some poems will reflect man's use of the turtle for sustenance, others will stress man's need to preserve and protect turtles. Some will deal with our emotional interactions with turtles, others will treat turtles light-heartedly or with seeming disrespect, but all will hopefully help us to better understand both the human and the chelonian condition, and remind us that the turtle holds a sacred place in all our hearts.
Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2007, 6(2): 000
Agua de Beber
Taylor Edwards 1
Solitary tortoise
he is content alone
Among the snakes and lizards
he calls the desert home
Then she arrived
a beautiful monsoon
And now this barren desert
is starting to bloom
Her graceful shower
her warm, gentle drops
Awaken the tortoise
and saturate his thoughts
He wasn't even thirsty
until she touched his lips
And now he is longing
for another sip
Chorus:
Agua de beber, agua de beber
agua de beber, agua de beber
Agua de beber
The tortoise searches for her
and finds a tranquil pool
And the still water
reflects his heart is full
Ripples on her surface
destroy tranquility
The tortoise is frightened
she will soon no longer be
This ephemeral pond
with whom he wants to stay
Has quenched his thirst
but evaporates away
Dry desert soils
long for summer rain
The tortoise heart desires
to see her once again
Agua de beber, agua de beber
agua de beber, agua de beber
Agua de beber
and he'll aestivate without her
Editorial Comment. — This song about a desert tortoise was written and composed by Taylor Edwards, inspired by a classic by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Agua de Beber translates to “water to drink”, and, in Brazil, it is a phrase that refers to a source of knowledge or understanding. I thought it particularly poignant that we publish this song/poem in the same issue in which the same author has also applied his professional scientific interests to an analysis of genetic phylogeography of the desert tortoise (Murphy, Berry, Edwards, and McLuckie, this volume). Each of us, no matter how professionally involved with turtles, also harbors a passion for these animals on which we work—sharing that passion through the expression of poetry or song makes each of us somehow more human and emphasizes our commitment to their conservation. I salute and celebrate all who give expression to this humanity.
1 Submitted by Taylor Edwards September 2007
