SLOWLY, SO SLOWLY THE SNAIL

SLOWLY, SO SLOWLY THE SNAIL

Slowly, so slowly the silent snail
Slides along past glistening trees,
Leaving behind it a silvery trail,
Looking for fresh, juicy leaves.

On soft, long stalks, two tiny eyes
Wave at the wet grass where rain fell;
Prepared, alert, at first surprise,
To curl into its round, brown shell.

Silently sliding on it slimy
Body without bones;
Silently sliding with its spiralled,
Thin shell for its home;

So it roams; so slow, so slow-
And yet, and yet though, it will go
More quickly than
Green leaves can grow.