At Sea

by Anne Stuart

Washed up on the beach
Bereft of it’s inner-creature.
He tried to protect her.
This time she is gone.

Inseparable, they were one.
Her soft centre kept him strong
As they dived for treasure deep.
Under rocks and wrecks they hid.

Stained tattooed shell, stories tell,
scrolled grooves, invisible clues.
No inner compass now. Hollow.
Sea breathes, come follow.

Moon rises, lighting the sky.
Clouds pass over. Stars beckon.
Tide lengthening, waves strengthening
Embracing the shell in eternal folds.

Reproduced with kind permission of the author. This poem was composed in Poetry as Commemoration workshops held at Newry & Mourne Museum on 7th and 14th of October, 2023. The workshops were led by poet Maria McManus.