Sea Shell

A hundred miles of dunes;
The ocean near at hand;
Around the days of June,
I ran to frolic in the sand.

I came upon the pearly home
Of one who'd dwelt beneath the roar
T'was caught up in the crystal foam
And cruelly cast ashore.

I kneeled there to give a prayer
In honor of that little one;
Behold, upon the tiny painted walls,
The tears do glisten in the sun.

I lifted it so tenderly ,
And gently wiped the tears;
I brought it back with me
To treasure through the years.

So frail, silent and empty;
And so unlike that once divine.
There's no one home to cry
To bring again the pearly shine.

- Edna Huber (1971)