Snail by Lizzie Elliot-Klein

In your spiral shell

you hold the answer -

that slowness is radical.

From the ash pile

of my burn out,

I see you everywhere.

Clinging to walls,

meandering through moss,

criss-crossing my path.

Reaching unbelievable heights

at speeds that will win no medals -

just savouring the

silvery

slowness

of

your

trail.

In your spiral shell

you hold the answer -

that softness is strength.

Inching forward on vulnerable ripples,

retreating when the world is harsh.

rebuilding your shell with self-made gold,

In your spiral shell

you hold the answer -

that I too can change.

My soft body thriving in gentleness

Kintsugi shell gleaming in

the light of spring

as I carve my

curling

silver

life

trail.

Slowly.

Steadily.

Softly.

At my

own

snail’s

pace.

Lizzie Elliot-Klein is a poet, nature connection guide, and mama rooted in Plymouth, UK. With a background in marine biology and nature-based practices, her work reflects a deep awe for the natural world and the cyclical dance of the seasons.

Since welcoming her daughter, Lizzie’s creative practice has also begun to explore matrescence and the everyday wonder of watching a small person grow.

Her poetry has been published in Haunted Words Press, with forthcoming work appearing in Motherlore Magazine and Jawbone Journal. She currently runs nature-based creative writing workshops through SeaWyld and is working on her debut poetry collection.

Instagram: @ofbrackenandbrine and @seawyld.