These Broken Shells... (Headland, Hartlepool, July 17th,2020) .

These broken shells are Scattered across wind blown shores; Along with dark green Strandsof seaweed, They come in Every colour from Red coral and aquamarine To saffron, flesh pink, Stony grey and ghostly white. Some are spotted and Others are subtly patterned. They're gutted by gulls And bleached bysalt, sea and sun. They are created By the patient artistry Of the tides: that sculpt These jewelled, washed up remnants. Yet they're perceived as Commonplace and will never Adorn our modern, Antiseptic galleries. For Nature's coarseness And primal beauty, is not Yet refined enough, For more 'exquisite' tastes.