Camino de Santiago

Dusk dusts the crowded trail

ahead a pilgrim drops to one knee

praying for what I cannot say

as I reach his station I find

St. James’ scallop shell

on the ground well worn cracked

abandoned to the dark night

Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. Most pilgrims carry a scallop seashell (or replica), traditionally associated with the figure of St. James.