In A Shell

I envied you
as I watched
today
the way
you escaped
in yourself
in your home
like walking around
with your
mother's womb
tacked
to your back
I yearned
for what you had
wanted it so bad
so mad
I envied you

I to
want to
ball up
in myself
shelter myself
from pain
from rain
from years
of strain
I wanted to
be envied too

Envied how
like a whisper
slips from lips
you peeked out
of yourself
dared to face
another day
another stone
tossed onto
your head
another child
kicking
your shell
Envied
your strength
to push
through hell

I envied you
I wanted that too
to be brave
enough somedays
to crawl
out through
my tears

Funny
you walked around
today
green shell
clinged
to your body
and I'm the one
green with envy

©Tia L. Clarke 2008