I am empty now
my conical ridges are faded
Still the aroma of the sea clings
as I lie on my side among
the kelp coated rocks
My ivory-coated exterior shielding
the mother of pearl lining
I was beautiful once
A home
Now I wait for the tide to move me
or a child with a yellow bucket
to take me home
Or I could be like a muse on a bad day
inspire a great artists
to use my conical spiralling shell
as inspiration to design a cathedral
in ancient Barcelona
But now I am empty
a deserted home
a plaything
just a shell