What is a walnut shell?

Hard, rounded ,

gently ridged,

Sat the walnut shell upon my desk.

Using glue, toothpicks and paper,

It took the form of a three-master.

A sloop, a corvette, a man of war,

to brave the hostile seas.

It was easily done,

For what is a walnut shell,

If not a sailship?

Brave ship, fare thee well,

The winds guide you,

To some heaven,

Where rum drips

From coconuts,

ladies put flowers round your neck.

Go and seek the treasure,

Be not afraid of sharks,

Fear not the raging tempest.

Cry land ho, splice the mainbrace,

And cheer the mermaids .

For what is a sailboat ,

If not spice and life?

The bell rang,

The ship was set upon a desk,

Hard compressed wood, Formica.

Pens rulers, inkpad, tangerine peels.

The drawer doesn’t lock,

The tea steams sadly.

For what am I,

If not an empty walnut shell?