Tidepools

At the first glance the tide pools do appear
Magnificent, as they sit gleaming bright,
Containing pretty life ‘neath surface clear,
Reflecting the sun’s iridescent light.

But that’s just it: the only thing they do
Is to reflect another’s beauty from outside
As they themselves cannot give off the rich blue hue
That in the mighty ocean does reside.

As far as life, I really must confess
I’ve yet to the entire story tell,
As often ugly crabs hide in recess
And only pretty life does in the open dwell.

And anyone that comes along
Can enter in these pools with ease
And need not even work too long
Before they’re in up to their knees.

And these pools have such small capacities,
And hold less water than mud puddles left
Along the banks of a small stream, bereft
Of function, though not of opacity.