Cancerian Shuffle

She peered out from under the hard shell
Suspicious
Tentative
Eyes sharpened to a point
fixed to the beach

The sand rubbed
her underbelly
as she slid carefully
toward the surf
watching out for scorpions
known to prowl the area.

Gingerly,
she touched a claw
to the lapping water,
chilly from the winter
warming to spring
and she longed for a long
peaceful swim
predator free.

Imagine her surprise
when a scorpion offered her a ride
to the island
of love.
Could a scorpion ever be trusted?

She wanted to go,
but her cautious spirit
said no.

The scorpion,
stung himself
by empty promises,
vowed to ask again
and again,
until the crab
trusted.

After all, he was willing to leave the desert
without knowing how to swim.