Turtle Man

[Erthona]

Turtle Man

The Philippines has one of the fastest growing populations in Southeast Asia with around 100 million people…. Lack of space and economic
opportunities has pushed around four million people to live informally along waterways, bridges and even cemeteries further
straining the already weak infrastructure and straining the resources of the city. The plight of poor Philippines


Oh turtle man can you see,
through sleepy hooded eyes
the dead bodies under the trees.
Young distended bellies, a new home
for flies, busy gorging themselves.
as tongues quickly lick in and out:
blood oozing into sand,
nourishing the beautiful palm tree.
Trees that grow strong and round with
a large Panama hat on top for a crown
on the white sands of paradise.
Turtle man ponders
while lying in his hammock,
could even Gaugin paint this
scene back to innocence
as he slips off into a Dionysian sleep
wondering are the coconuts
filled of blood.
He hides inside his shell,
only glimpsing the setting
of the blood red sun,
sinking into dark blue waters,
feeling all is at peace.



A commingling of hope and despair in innocent eyes.
Children beg for alms in a street on August 11, 2014 in Manila, Philippines.

–Erthona

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