Clams On Parade

Mysteries beneath the waves. Steady as you go.

Clams On Parade

Clams on parade go salty down

Slip into comas in throats of oceans

Land on floor beds blanketed in mud

In love with the mighty waves above

Lights on the shore, lights from stars

Reflect memories back to sea

Once more before the storm is formed

Of what is to become of shells not found

Is left unanswered

Somewhere below the clouds out loud

Between muffled sounds of thunder

Happy clams alarmed by nothing

Anchored by one foot in mud’s reality

Begin another day of freedom beneath

What of the fantastic ships at salty sea?

Raise the colors to the wind boys!

Churn with the waves towards shore

Crash on rocks to swallow them whole

Sell your souls below before you turn old

Voices lift higher to fill in the hour

Before the songs end in the mist

The power of dawn cracks open

Breaks like an egg in need of fire

Evaporates with the days arrival

Drink in the moment of the dive

So much salt can’t be wrong

Familiar with sand, shells become wise

Stand erect in tides to savor the depths

Suck up the flavor of the day

Currently under investigation by muscles

Too deep to measure as they contemplate

Restraints imposed on them by nature

Gray mouths close tightly in a smile

Clams hold on with one foot in reality

Anchored, shell shocked by tidal wilds

Must we wait for oyster logic

Pressure sets in when air’s depleted

Mud is soft and cloudy under there

Gathering objects in the dark

Can make it easy to forget

Oxygen is needed to catch your breath

To catch a clam you must use sense

Surely there is a compass in the sand

Stationed on terrains still under way

Clams parade oblivious to the obvious

Sounds are heard from up above

Only waves know the meaning

Above, the sea is distorted by light

Below, deep in thought, oceans nap

Clams begin to dance as mollusks

Crustaceans dwell within their boundaries

Debating whether mollusks should have feet

They do this frequently without sleep

Reviews

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You capture the ocean teaming with life in this remarkable poem of yours. Societies of creatures living in the sea diverse and yet in harmony. We could learn a thing or two from mollusks and clams.

[Earl Schumacker]

Hi Carlos, Thank you so much. Glad you liked it. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed creating it. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. Earl