-1-

“Listen up,” says the dependent
Conch lying in the shallows of home.

“I am full of cold air and hot waves;
Hold me up, and we will vibrate!”

-2-

The sand palace above provides a
Beneficent confessional for bivalves.

In the distance, but not far, are the
remnants of rusty pails and shovels.

-3-

A drone flies over, dropping its cargo
Of earthworms for the hungry snails.

There is little sound at all, even the
Habitat of the birds has been silenced.

-4-

The conch is aware of its potential,
Its nacreous offspring are valued.

If its luster fails to please, it can be
Traded as Triton’s magic trumpet.

-5-

Up and down the dunes, as far as
The eye can bear, lie the moribund.

Once the mayor and prophet to
Sea creatures, the conch now dies.

-6-

Flash forward, the anthropologist digs
Up deflated volley *****, snow-cone

Wrappers, ragged beach towels and
Half-empty bottles of sunscreen.

-7-

The morning newspaper reads:
“President declares state of emergency.

“Marine life biologists meet at Harvard,
Price of fish increases 50 percent.


©  Lewis Bosworth, 3, 2017