The snapping turtle was on the path again today
Head turned toward the morning sun
Minding its own snapping turtle business
Thinking snapping turtle thoughts  

Did it know I was afraid of its snap? Did it care?
Was it afraid of me, giant creature walking quickly?  

Snapping Turtle turned its head and looked at me
I looked at it
Into each others’ eyes we gazed
Just a moment or two

It nodded and slow walked into the grass
I moved on