Crimson tides wash ashore debris faded soda can shiney in the sun brand name washed away now only the aluminum stands to tell us at one time it held something pleasurable within it Once it was sought after on the shelf in the cooler longing to be the one chosen to quench a thirst to fill someone to satisfy to be needed to be desired to be appreciated to be sought after to be the ONE In that desire the thought evades as to what will happen when it has been drained of what it once held What happens when it is chosen desired opened enjoyed filling them satisfying them until every last drop is swallowed and digested? They are but now emptied thrown into the stream smashed into the rocks of the river bed carried to the ocean tossed upon the waves until it doesnt even recognize itself for not only is it empty on the inside but it is faded and faceless on the outside too.... No longer needed Emptied of self they toss it aside and when the thirst arises they seek out another, a new soda can bright, beautiful, new maybe even a different flavour And while they are drinking another on the beach the other, the emptied one washes ashore at the very feet of the one it had satisfied yet they do not recognize it, for it has changed It sits in the sand wondering what its purpose now might be in this desolate place will a hermit crab make it a new home? only to leave again once it finds a more suitable abode... will a child fill it with sand laughter and giggles only to have them pour out the sand and stomp on it crushing it under foot? will it be burried beneath seaweed and kelp only to be forgotten? Or will someone spy it shining in the sunlight curious to see what it is, take it into their hands and treasure it something plain and simple no beauty on the outside, empty on the inside.... to be set upon a ledge where it is treasured and loved simply for being Or will they take it and recycle it? Only to have it once again upon the shelf in the cooler waiting for someone to choose it?