Shells On The Shore

I walked along the beach today.

I picked up shells; whole sand dollars. 

I looked at them and threw them back into the ocean.

Because if I were to meet my death in a foreign place,

I would want to be returned home; to where I belonged. 

I ran along the beach today.

Nothing changed but the faces going by.

Dogs might have chased me; surely just figments of my imagination...

I've always wanted a picture of me and the beach.

The silhouette of my body perfectly outlined by the sunset and the waves crashing around me.

Oh, such a wild imagination. 

I strolled along the beach today.

I saw surfers and sea otters.

I'm sure you have heard,

Otters hold hands so they don't lose each other.

I want to be a sea otter.

Maybe my love for my friends and family would be so strong that I wouldn't want to let go.

I am a sea otter.

I just didn't choose to be let go of; forever a drift in the waves.

...Having to brave the surf alone is a scary thing. 

Today, I saw the shells on the shore.

I saw beauty and uniqueness in all of them.

Each one, a diamond.

And that is exactly what we are.

Shells on the shore..