A gently opened shell
frees the oyster's
tender
soul,
and leads it to the heavens
to gambol with the stars.

The chains that bind
don't hinder,
nor chafe
nor cause
distress,
when the cherished morsel's
tasted
in a gourmet's
steady quest
to find the joy that lingers
in the salty,
restless
sea.

And tide and time
keep compn'y
with the beating of the hearts
that echo in the recess
between the
shining
stars.