Out in the night, out in the deep, turtles are calling me: no time to sleep!
They come for life--no time to rest: Green sea turtles are coming to nest…
Leaving huge tracks on coral sand, leaving safety to come out on land,
Digging a pit before digging their nest: Out I must go to them, I cannot rest…
Green sea turtles! Green sea turtles…
Suddenly still--are you at rest? Or are you laying your eggs in your nest?
Stars twinkle high, no moon above: Only the green turtles proving their love…
Hundreds of eggs they’re all laying here at the Great Barrier Reef!
Heron Island is calling them! Black noddy birds--no need for words--
Hour after hour, they work all night! I hope they come with high tide
Making it easier to cross the reef... digging and scooping and covering, covering…
Sand in the air, sand in her face! Now she must cover and leave not a trace:
Listen for sounds flippers make with a snap:
Soon go these green turtles to the sea back...
All over Heron Island, daybreak shows huge turtle tracks!
Even the hatchlings are breaking free--running from gulls, running for life!
Ode to Heron Island! Ode to this national park! Ode to this natural treasure!
Please keep it safe for them, dark for them... kind for them-- It’s dawn…
People awake, both young and old, taking flash photographs, being too bold!
People here are turtle lovers like me, wanting to catch their return to the sea…
You in Australia, who know them so well:
Help us to help without breaking their spell…
We need your guidance In letting them be
green sea turtles on…the Great Barrier Reef!
