Down in the benthic darkness
where curious creatures dwell
is a species of hermit crab so big
it uses a boat for a shell.
The hatchlings start in a bathtub or fridge
and when that gets too snug,
first they move to a dinghy or sloop
and then to a sampan or tug.
Nobody knows how big they can grow
but don’t be surprised if one day
the wreck of Titanic lifts on its toes
and silently scuttles away.
I know it’s not actually Thursday any more, but this is yesterday’s poem for napowrimo so I guess it can be my poem for Poetry Thursday as well :)
5 replies on “napowrimo #19: Down in the benthic darkness”
Amusing poem about a place we rarely think about.
Very Shel Silversteinish.
I actually don’t know Shel Silverstein, but I’ll take your word for it. And, of course, take it as a compliment :)
And thanks Crafty Green!
Yep, that was a compliment. Silverstein is a genius.
Oh, excellent. I have heard of Silverstein but he’s one of those people who for whatever reason hasn’t really crossed the Atlantic.