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Our teacher said to look for stuff
Before we left the shore
So I took my shovel and plastic pail
Then set out to search some more
My pockets were quite full of things
With sand in both my shoes
More souvenirs I didn't need
But what did I have to loose
The surf and seaweed led the way
To a million washed up shells
Miles and miles they stretched it seemed
And my heart began to swell.
How could I choose just one, I thought
From so many that are the same
Still, I picked up a sample and tossed it in
Not caring what type or name
"A shell is a shell is a shell," I said,
"Seen one and you've seen them all"
As I glanced once more at the lonely beach
I heard my teacher's call
We boarded our bus in seconds flat
Our driver hit the gas
And in two shakes of a lobster's tail
We were sharing our treasures in class
I was daydreaming about a pirate
When my teacher started to stare
"My gosh my boy," she bubbled out,
"You've found something there quite rare!"
My classmates gathered round my desk
To see who had the prize
"An exotic species not common here"
I could feel their envious eyes.
But I let them all hold it and pass it round
So nobody felt left out
And our teacher showed us how proud she was
By the way she was dancing about
Because even the kids who never spoke
Found they had something to say
Those who were noisy, took time to listen
In that friendly kind of way
For as the shell went hand to hand
Our hearts passed that way too
Nobody felt different or strange or sad
No one felt friendless or blue
It made me a hero for a day
Sort of famous for a year
That special shell sits by my bed
And it's become quite dear
Just to think I almost passed it by
Because it had no name
Now as long as I live I'll never again
Look at people or seashells the same.
Gregory H. Brown
2006
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