Scallops
             swung 
                           back and 
forth 
             on the eelgrass, 
	         up
sprouting      from the sand of the ocean floor. 
Theyclumpedtogether, cozy and 
clinging to the 
blades. 

We felt bad each time We 
             plucked 
                            one from its home. 
We imagined that some of these scallops could have been 
             lovers 
                          cuddling up in bed together, or 
             friends 
                           s t a r g a z i n g from the
                                                                              bottom of the sea, or 
              a parent 
                            reading their 
                                                    sleeping child a bedtime story, keeping 
                                                    close in case they had a nightmare.

We made sure to be 
as            with Them as possible.
    gentle