Hard to imagine a shell
more fragile
more exquisite
coiled snail-like
but no snail made
this sea-born wonder
a mother's work
protection
for her eggs
and ballast chamber
allowing her
to rest
below the surface
floating in
the water column
till the eggs
are ready
to hatch out

She is the argonaut
named for Jason's
mythic ship
pelagic octopus
she floats above
the ocean depths
she made this shell
pale white
nearly translucent
that now sits
on my dresser
lovely token
of the sea's
deep magic
and the way
life spirals
into beauty
forming galaxies
fern fronds
sunflowers and
this perfect jewel