The poem was inspired by a young lady whom I happened to meet and counsel.

One day along the beach I was strolling
I happened on a lone pretty conch shell
The waves had brought it ashore rolling
I wondered about the stories it could tell

I stooped and picked up the pretty roller
Admiring the colorful swirls of the shell
I thought it would be nice to possess her
To put her on display would be so swell

Then I placed the shell up to my ear
Instead of the ocean I heard screams
Howls of pain and anguish I did hear
Caused by abuse and broken dreams

The shell contained another treasure
It was not empty, only been forsaken
This shell did not exist for my pleasure
It had only been waiting to reawaken

This shell was more than what appeared
It had a story to tell to the whole world
Inside it, a greater beauty had persevered
A beauty just waiting to be unfurled

Soon that creature would again grow
Gaining strength, wisdom and esteem
That shell would again brightly glow
And go on to fulfill her life’s dream