Once the mollusk softness of its tentacles
decays in death remains of a nautilus,
when stranded in the sand, its shell…
the inner core,
(an imprint of its body)
the perfect logarithmic spiral,
an empty pearly casket
reminding how in death its life
have changed to something better —
an obituary for a casual acquaintance.
Shell by Edward Weston (1927)
This is linked to toads, for the monthly flash. I also made it into a weekend 55 for Kerry, and will link to poetry pantry tomorrow morning.
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September 1, 2018
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Nice write, I like the way you show how death is only a change and quite a beautiful one at that.
I reflected on John McCain, and how in death he seemed so much better than when he was a alive… and I think it happens to many of us.
Yes! Love this reflection. It’s really true. And I love your reference to “casual acquaintance” here. Excellent.
I do hope that after death we all change to become something better. A thought-provoking poem, Bjorn.
Interesting, the shell as an obituary. Well done, Bjorn.
I love this.
Very interesting line of thought Bjorn… that its death serves a higher purpose.
An interesting title, which I see is inspired by the death of John McCain; the shell is more beautiful and interesting than the mollusc:
‘the perfect logarithmic spiral,
an empty pearly casket’.
The shell as an obituary is an incredibly potent image! Kudos.
Your words make beautiful music, as always … and I also like the deep ideas this image leads you into.
The last line… oh my goodness.. I wish I had written it myself! Perfect.
Such a powerful piece – I loved the imagery
Isn’t it strange that people would collect shells which seem similar to us collecting skins or toenails of creatures but ignoring what they really were. Much like bears having skins of humans hanging on their cave walls after they had eaten us. Life is more important than being a collectable.
*slow clap* Chillingly beautiful and more than a tad unsettling. I think its an extremely appropriate tribute for someone leaving behind as complicated a legacy as John McCain. Before I saw who it was for I felt that sense of ambiguity in this obituary. And finding out who it was for – whew – brilliantly done Bjorn.
This is a thing of beauty: “an empty pearly casket/reminding how in death its life/have changed to something better”.
A wonderfully interesting reflection.
-HA
you unravel this beautifully – with a punch line that packs a punch
what an interesting idea.
just like how some artists found fame only after death.
Great lite piece.
The spiral is a magical thing and not bad for a self made casket 👍
I like the words you chose to describe the shell— it’s “inner core”. It’s the inner beauty that lives on after death. …sort of ironic too that it’s referring to a shell. I love the contrast of those two concepts.
A cleverly crafted metaphor Björn.
Happy you dropped by my Sunday Standard today
Much🍾💛love
‘…the perfect logarithmic spiral…’ I love that phrase.
You took this poem in a fascinating and contemplative direction and created a metaphor that – upon reflection – is quite transcendent. Actually, I would say that you created, for me, a mental picture, where one did not exist before. That is a pretty cool thing, when it happens!
My comment disappeared! I love this interpretation of the prompt. The obit for the mollusk. I like so much how you show death to be just a change and often times, a beautiful change.
Something better? I believe his goals were from wrong thinking, a lack of self worth and assessment of value.
..
I really love the freshness of the last line – its phrasing was so unexpected, a new tone and voice – this makes the poem stand right up and we have to take notice!
It’s body is its grave marker. A beautiful one.