The Oysters

Here we sit, just us girls,
in tidepool wavelet curls we laze
around, enjoy the days.
Ah, but then there’s always a catch,
we squirm a bit, we scratch.
Just one grain from our patch of sand,
sneaking in all unplanned,
disrupts us in our grand repose.
Vexation always shows
which ones of us are those who take
it as a challenge, shake
off our discomfort, make a guest
of an unwelcome pest.
And then we find we’re blessed with jewels,
and poorer are the fools
who forget the rule is: don’t quit,
there’s a lesson in it—
that when life gives you grit, make pearls.

The Tick

Don’t mind me—I’m a tick,
and I just want to stick to you,
to be loyal and true,
to be there when you’re blue, a friend
you can always depend
on. I’m ready to lend an ear,
and that’s why I adhere
so closely. You know we’re linked now,
blood brothers, I and thou,
a friendship all endowed with might,
from just a little bite.
And don’t you think that’s quite a trick?