Everybody Holds the Conch Shell

If you’re within earshot of me and can hear anybody other than yourself, you know who I am. Whenever I say something, whatever I say, wherever, I am echoing off of every wall I’ve ever known, my inner ear ringing constantly as the ocean sings within a conch shell heard for the very first time. Silence only for a moment, a child’s shrieking awe at the continuity of its shape and sound, the shell consistently sings as the next shell is made to sing for the next child who echoes off of walls from every room ever shared, their inner ear tuned to the conversation about who they are with whoever will listen.