The waves splay lazily, pushing and pulling back
I am one of many shells decorating the ocean shore

The air is humid
It smells of salt and sea
It smells of solitude

She sells sea shells on the seashore
I am on display on her table
I am glamour and gore

I am quiet and calm
I am an ornament
I am purchased, and then thrown away

I am an empty shell on the seashore
Surrounded by wet sand
Apprehensive of the hand
Outstretched to reach me
To pick me up
To take me from home

I am empty, but you can’t tell
When I smile, laugh, and yell
You’ll think I’m full

My veins have been drained of blood
Of compassion, sympathy, and love
I am dry, running on empty

But you’ll never know that my insides disintegrate
When I hand more to you

There’s a constant throbbing in my heart, with no relief
So I clutch my chest when no one’s looking


No one’s ever looking


But when I look at you
I laugh, I smile
And you look at me and reciprocate
And I wonder,
If you’re empty too.