The Conch Shell      

A pink conch shell sat on his dresser

Beneath his open window to the sea

An icon of his treasured moments

When for a heartbeat he was free

Yes, memories and mermaids linger

In the soft notes he’d play each night

Yes, wants and wishes of the moments

Echoed till each early morning light

They’d met on stormy waters cast

When his tiny boat had capsized

She breathed life into his parted lips

Then mesmerized him with her eyes

King Neptune, regal, sat his throne

To listen to their case so rear

Then sadly gave them but one week

That was all that he could spare

For mermaids can never love on land

Nor man dwell below the ocean’s deep

So they made the most of seven days

Sweet memories they would keep

One sweet last kiss and one final wish

That someday they’d be as one

She pressed the sea shell to his hand

Then it was over, said and done

So each night below his window he’d play

Their love song dampened by his tears

Even though time faded his youth away

His love only grew stronger with the years

One gray morning they found his body

Grasping a sea shell to his lifeless chest

The land may have claimed skin and bones

But now below the sea his heart will rest…