Empty Shells

By Omar Jawed Shaikh

Broken, cracked and empty I lay

I am a hollow shell, on the yellow beach, I say

Washed ashore on every bay,

Discarded on the shimmering sand, every day

Hold me in your palm with hope,

Immerse yourself into my shallow cove,

For I can still protect your breaking soul,

Still, there is strength in my sheathing bone

Rest in me... let your heart be

It may break and crumble more, but trust in me

I transmutate to shapes that soothe your heart, don't you see?

To stop you from exploding into uncollectable fragments, like islands In the sea

So rest in me my dear, I am yours to wear as your suit,

In me, your metamorphosis shall take root

For you to emerge like a butterfly from its cocoon,

And flutter away in fields, where the marigold bloom,

Only to leave me, yet again...

Broken, cracked and empty...

A hollow shell, on the yellow beach

Washed ashore on every bay,

Discarded on the shimmering sand, every day.

By Omar Jawed Shaikh