I was walking along the seashore
one warm, midsummer's day,
Then, as if by chance, I happened to
look down 'pon a snail
that stood in my way.

I bent down to speak to him
and he slowly slid
into his shell and upon me hid.
When this was done and over
I picked up where I'd left off
and continued on down the shore.
Then I came upon another
who before my feet looked shy,
And when I bent down to speak to him
he too slid into his shell.
So, at this, I slowly walked on by
and continued on down the shore.
If only snails could speak to me
I wonder what tales they would tell?

I glanced down to look at the pebbles
which upon the beach there lie,
I saw another snail there
and he smartly winked his eye...
I bent down to talk to him, just once again
and said, "Hey friend, please tell me of things
that happen in your land?"
And this the snail replied,
"You see, I would tell you
if only I could speak.
We snails don't talk you know."
And he slid into his shell to sleep.

© 2003, Deborah L. Kelly