IV

Silver shells on the beach
Catch my eye; I bend to reach
And pick them from the sand
With a calm yet timid hand.

Like oil on water the soft
Shimmer of the abandoned shell
Sparkles in the haze, aloft
I hold it, and hear the bell.

Away I rush on a foamy dream;
I close my eyes and wander.
In ecstasy I nearly scream---
My eyes flash open; I shudder.

So to the ground I replace my treasure
And eagerly depart to seak safer pleasure.

S.KRAUSE