In Their Shells

The boys came back after sundown,
Oozing petrol and seawater,
With their chattering crustaceans
And a sense of dizzy triumph.

Jane thought Michael looked romantic
With the blood around his fingers.
Abbie hunted through John's bag
In search of wrappers or receipts.

Crickets chirped around the inlet
As the kitchen boiled with vapour.
John opened expensive vino
From the Bergerac wine region.

Snap, crack, pick, pull. Pull, pick, crack, snap.
Snap, crack, pick, pull. Pull, pick, crack, snap.