To Hermit, or Not To Hermit

I’m nothing but an empty shell.

A hermit crab did once upon a time

House himself in me.

But now I see him moving on.

He’s much too big for me,

Outgrown this covering.

He is off to find something roomier.

Or maybe it is I who am the crab?

Maybe the drab shell has infringed upon

The larger ways I need to carry on, now?

Maybe that is me I see, moving on?

Or maybe truly I’m the shell,

Passively waiting for another small crab

To come and dwell in me, again?

My identity has come loose,

And I’m confused for now,

Just what part of the world I am?

And whether I’m the hermit crab shell

Or the hermit crab, itself,

Who can say?

Who can guess?

But either way, I’m a hermit, nonetheless.

-jenn