This Shell, A Half
This shell, a half, lay on the beach
In this small box I place it where
Its patterns are so beautiful
This half is you. This half is me.
its whiteness did attract me so
like talcumed skin or purest snow
just waiting for my hand to reach
and pluck it up to keep for you
as if it were a treasure rare.
it will remain until we two
can find the time to share a bit
of company and talk of how
what's halved is still quite whole and now
means more than when a perfect fit
with mate or sand or soil or sea.
and nakedly it yields its soul
to us as we behold how free
a half a shell alone can be.
© 2000, TAJ
