Mother of pearl

I am an oyster.
I float in the tears
of the whale mothers
and of all homesick sailors.
I feast on crumbles
And understand them.
I live off the lashes of the sea
so she and I can weep together.

I am an oyster.
I have thousands of hearts beating on every shore,
my guts are made of sunlight
and green serenity.
I greet fishes
sing with corals
and watch the seals in their winter ballet.
I turn my wounds into jewels,
for I will have to wear them.

I am an oyster and you eat me alive
and now I squirm and twist and yell just to stay aware
before the sea claims me as her child
before I cease to hear the bubbling shores
at least, you say, I have
a pretty shell.