Seashells

We walk on the beach

Sunhat, sunblock, bare feet

Pick up shells

Rinse them in the sea

"Look at this one!"

"That's a pretty one!"

Pop em into plastic bags

The horn honks

Tie up the bag

Hurry to the car

Ready for the next adventure

The next day

Sarah and I

Out on the deck

Sorting shells,

Big, small, circular, ridged

"Do you have one like this?"

Suddenly spindly feet poke

Out of a spiral shell

It scurries, hopeful, beginning 

The long walk back to the ocean

We check our shells carefully

Seven still have living creatures inside

After twenty-four hours in a plastic bag

Back in, they go

All the scared, squirming little folks

I carry them down the steps,

Across the beach

And down to the sea

Out of the bag,

Gently placed on the sand

Waiting for the next wave

To return them to their home

In the blue, island surf

The reward for determination -

Life!