As a child on a beach
Shoveling moats to the kingdom
And as the waves to the sand
You scooped me up.

My heart is like a shell of the sea
vacant from previous owners,
Wandering lost in undertows,
Trying to find a ground to settle.

Perhaps you want not to own me.
Or drag me down with tides
Maybe you want to keep me…
You might think I’m a treasure.

Just please be careful, be careful with me…
I have tumbled myself quite fragile
With a delicate palm you raise me up
To the light, as you gently appraise me

I wonder if I am worthy of your shelf
Adorned with bits and bobs,
Savored, polished, cautiously placed
So thoroughly loved and cared for.

I dream to be amongst those trinkets
That Time itself, took mercy
Where decades of wear and tear
Only made them greater.

How could I think a happy end?
Amongst your most favorite things
Your gaze steadily bores into me
A spotlight over the squalls.

I think to shout-
“Discard me to the sea!” (It seemed clear I was not worth keeping.)
Instead, your lips lift to a smile.
Pupils wide and awestruck.

You place me to your heart
And then- as if to yourself,
you softly whisper:
“I love you most of all.”

Relief, I sink into your cradled arms,
My heart pulsing like the waves
A steady force all of my own, untethered and delighted.