Conch

You build a house for your soul,

and wander proudly 

in starlight

with the house on your back,

like a snail.

When danger in near,

you crawl inside

and are safe

behind your hard

shell.

And when you are no more,

the house will

live on,

a testament

to your soul's beauty.

And the sea of your loneliness

will sing deep

inside.

Olav H. Hauge

While I normally avoid commenting on the news my wife and I 

have enjoyed many trips to Charleston and were quite sad

to hear of the tragic deaths.