Dear David and other starry-eyed conchopoets,
This is a salutation sent by William H. Dall to Ida Shepard (1856-1940) and
Tom Oldroyd (1853-1932) on the occasion of their marriage in 1895:
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, I MAY COMPARE MARRIED FOLKS TO THE TWO HALVES
OF A CLAM, DIFFERENT, YET IN A SENSE EQUAL; NECESSARY TO EACH OTHER FOR
COMPLETENESS; LIABLE TO NIP ANYBODY WHO COMES BETWEEN THEM;
SHOWING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD WHATEVER OF STRENGTH AND BEAUTY THEY POSSESS,
YET SHELTERING FROM OBSERVATION ALL THAT IS MOST PRECIOUS, TENDER, AND
NECESSARY TO LIFE BETWEEN THEM.
QUIET CONTENTMENT IS PROVERBIAL OF CLAMS, AND NOT TO BE DESPISED BY HUMAN
BEINGS;
THEY ARE ALSO SAID TO BE HAPPY AT HIGH WATER, WHICH I HOPE WILL NEVER FAIL
YOU. THEY ENCLOSE AND FOSTER THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, REFERRED TO IN
SCRIPTURE AND EMBLEMATIC OF ALL THAT IS LOVELY IN THE MARRIAGE
RELATIONS. LET US NOT FORGET THEIR EXAMPLE.
MAY CARE AND SORROW FOLLOW YOU AT A SNAIL'S PACE AND NEVER CATCH UP WITH
YOU. MAY GOOD FORTUNE STICK TO YOU LIKE AN ABALONE TO A ROCK, AND YOUR
FRIENDS BE AS COUNTLESS AS COQUINAS ON THE BEACH.
Harry
At 02:07 AM 9/29/2003, you wrote:
>Bivalve lovers, and lovers in general,
>
>Here's a poem someone sent me. I think it's a good one:
>
>OF MOLLUSCS
>
>As the tide rises, the closed mollusc
>Opens a fraction to the ocean's food,
>Bathed in its riches. Do not ask
>What force would do, or if force could.
>
>A knife is of no use against a fortress.
>You might break it to pieces as gulls do.
>No, only the rising tide and its slow progress
>Opens the shell. Lovers, I tell you true.
>
>You who have held yourselves closed hard
>Against warm sun and wind, shelled up in fears
>And hostile to a touch or tender word---
>The ocean rises, salt as unshed tears.
>
>Now you are floated on this gentle flood
>That cannot force or be forced, welcome food
>Salt as your tears, the rich ocean's blood,
>Eat, rest, be nourished on the tide of love.
>
>by May Sarton
Harry G. Lee
Suite 500
1801 Barrs St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
USA
Voice: 904-384-6419
Fax: 904-388-6750
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Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at:
www.jaxshells.org
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