Shallows

Early in the afternoon,
When the tide glides out and the breeze is light,
A snail and a hermit crab linger
In a small pool amongst the baby sea grass.

Today they are knocking shell upon shell,
A battle to see whose will shatter first;
The victor looking on
As the homeless one is fried by the sun.

Slow and steady the tiny
Click-clack of shell on shell
Is deafening in the shallow pool,
But lost in the noise beyond.

The snail stubbornly stands firm
Waiting for blow upon blow
Until it gathers it strength and
Slams the thin-legged crab.

Though it may topple under the weight of its shell,
The hermit crab has but one speed,
And would rather ruin its home
Than concede to the likes of a snail.

On and on the battle rages,
Even as thin cracks appear in both shells;
They crash and clash, gnashing and thrashing
When, at last, they are left bare.

Tiny pieces of shell are accepted by the sea
As the tide rushes into the rocks.
The snail and the hermit crab trudge off, homeless;
Though their hearts are one.