Sand Dollar Poem by Juan Olivarez

The sun is rising
Over Galveston Island.
The beach still deserted
Except for a lone fisherman.

Tiny sand crabs
Scurry out of the way
As we approach and dive
into miniature caves in the sand

Walking along the beach
My jeans up around my knees.
Hand in hand
With my love Elvira.

The tide is going out
In swirling foam.
Leaving behind wonders
Of the Atlantic.

Like the sand dollar
In Elvira's hand.
The shell with the daisy
Perfectly drawn by artist unknown.

Why sand dollar?
I cannot purchase
A dollar burger with it
Or make change at the laundromat.

A sea daisy or pansy
Is far more appropriate.
Yet this beautiful urchin
Is far more valuable
Than a dollar.

Sand dollar it is though
Including the chip
On the side.
And the perfectly drawn daisy or pansy
In the exact center.

Treasures of the sea
On a secluded beach.
On Galveston Island
Dollars from the sea
In the sand.