My Shell

there is a shell

alone on a beach

over the sand-dunes

out of my reach

it calls to me softly

whispers my name

says. 'come, won't you find me?'

always the same

one day I will see it

half-buried in sand

and hold it up proud

in the palm of my hand

we'll sing of the sun

and the salt and the sea

together forever

just my shell and me

© Matt Goodfellow, from Caterpillar Cake, Otter Barry Books 2021