Charlie the Turtle
by: Nikolai

A turtle came to my door
Early on a summer's day;
A reptile by nature,
I cared for him anyway.
A terrapin I thought him,
Though I couldn't say for sure.
Certainly not a tortoise,
He was to far from the shore.

He said his name was Charlie;
He liked to hide in his shell.
I wanted to call him Chuck,
But he didn't take it well.
I asked him why he was here,
And why he was so happy;
To avoid the sun he said,
And take a little nappy.

You can't sleep right here, I said.
He replied with a smile:
I won't be here forever,
I'll just lay here a while.
This door's for people, I said;
It's not for lizards and such.
Please let me stay, said Charlie;
I like it ever so much.

Charlie, I said, this is no
Place for a turtle like you.
I know, I know, he said; but
I've nothing better to do.
I will miss you very much,
Charlie the turtle, I said.
Before he left, he turned and
Looked at me, then off he fled.

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