Spinning Islands

“White conch shell” drawn with colored pencils on textured pper by Sandy Ross Bender on June, 2015.
“Spinning Islands” composed and performed with vocals and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on June 14, 2026.

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I am going down to the Florida Keys,

Where hurricanes abound,

Spinning islands like a string of pearls, 

Wind sweeping waves into the sound.

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Mangroves and hardwood hammocks,  

Encircling the reef periphery,

Moonshine turning turquoise tides,

A wind quartet in lunar synchrony.

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I am not searching for sunken treasure,

In the deep blue depths, divers plumb.

I am looking for seashells that sparkle,

Along the shifting beaches, I comb,

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We could share a pail of whelks and cowries,

That drift in with the evening tide,

Gaze into conches and mother of pearl mollusks,

Discovering the sea, side by side.

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Lyrics and music – Sandy Ross Bender, June 14, 2026

Just dinner! Maybe dance?

“Two colorful conches” drawn with colored pencils by Sanford Ross Bender
“Just dinner? Maybe dance”composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on April 14, 2025.