March 30, 2020
When I was a little girl, first of four kids,
Mother and Dad took us to the beach.
Our father spent some time collecting
Six shells, nesting them securely.
He gave them to me
To keep.
A lifetime later
on holiday
I collected shells of my own
Arranged them in a shadowbox
According to shape and color
Sunshine scallop at the center
Light at the heart of us
I’ve had more freedom from care
Than he did
I hope he knows how grateful I am
For his care
And how sorry
For charging him with
Hypervigilance
And now, now care he never dreamed of has shown up
I’m pleased to think
Both shell collections
Are safe with me
As are the memories and the desire
To hand things on to the next generation
Everlasting Arms 