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You are here: Home / 45 / Turtle, Breathe

Turtle, Breathe

45, Poetry by Danley Romero

Turtle head, poke out of shell
and water, barely send out
ripples. Arms outstretched, slowly
tread water, breathe in
a deep, turtle breath,
wade shallow
near, and on, and over
the surface; you are everywhere.

Acorn in the years-ago ground,
simply be. An oak now. Squirrel’s song
out of top branches, thrown
like acorns—hit runners
and fish.

I cannot yet recognize
the slow smile. I stare
at this turtle, determined
that I will.

And hours pass just like that.

Crawfish shell. Empty—
that is all. On the edge of the water.

The gentle waves lap,
rock, make me crazy and
in love, in a new way.

Take my eyes, God, and open them.
Can we press our faces together. Can I find you
in the gentle curve of my own shoulder.


Danley Romero is a second-year MFA student at the University of New Hampshire. He grew up in Louisiana and is interested in queerness, surrealism, introspection and short forms. He is currently working on a collection of stories for his thesis. When he’s not writing, reading, workshopping, or editing fiction for Barnstorm, Danley enjoys long walks, staring at walls, and practicing and teaching cello.

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Call for Submissions

Call for submissions for issue #51, as well as our poetry and micro essay contests. Learn more and submit your work here.

New Orleans Review is delighted to announce the publication of its first book, Interviews from the Edge: 50 Years of Conversations about Writing and Resistance
(Bloomsbury 2019).

Visit the Digital Archive of NOR Print Issues, 1968-2019

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