I gathered shells upon the sand, <br />Each shell a little perfect thing, <br />So frail, yet potent to withstand <br />The mountain-waves' wild buffeting. <br />Through storms no ship could dare to brave <br />The little shells float lightly, save <br />All that they might have lost of fine <br />Shape and soft colour crystalline. <br /> <br />Yet I amid the world's wild surge <br />Doubt if my soul can face the strife, <br />The waves of circumstance that urge <br />That slight ship on the rocks of life. <br />O soul, be brave, for He who saves <br />The frail shell in the giant waves, <br />Will bring thy puny bark to land <br />Safe in the hollow of His hand.<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sea-shells-4/
