I am a turtle. I only wish my skin was more like a shell. How convenient to carry my home upon my back, how comforting to disappear when danger approaches, how liberating to move about the world at my own pace, moving to my own rhythm, blending in like one stone among many when it suits my mood and motives. Independent, individual, impenetrable, and invulnerable I am as I wander about observing and occasionally experiencing life. What a relief my shell would be.
I am maturing much as a turtle grows its hard shell over time. With each mean comment, harsh criticism, or obvious slight at the hands of my group of friends my skin thickens, my emo