Rock Pool Watch

 
In a world bounded by harsh rocks and washed by thunderous ocean waves,
Dwelling in a crack between infinity of ocean and eternity of land
Would seem to demand a withstanding carapace of adamantine and
A limpet suction to reality
 
But look. Here swims a creature less substantial than its shadow.
Hanging in mid element suffused by sunlight and sur-rounded by salt.
Could seem to be living more within the water bagged within its body vault,
 Than in its chitin crust rigidity.
 
A being made of elements; its breath the ebb and flow of moon and tide.
Blood, ions pouring through the pores of plated cellophane translucence.
Energy in particles of light so lightly blocked, it makes no real sense 
Of where its sentient ego lies.

 
Yet life pulsates there, strong as mine, in greater depth perhaps, and hot.
Gills' constant quiver, antennae reaching out to taste the seaweed covered walls,
The startling stop-start dart precision. And my dark shadow causing it to freeze and fall
 In ways that passing clouds do not.