Hard shelled,
Smoothed by many currents, many tides,
Buffing it with all that sand
As waves cycle through,
A cool fleshy lump of life
Lifts a finger
To get the weather report
On the motion of the seas;
Lifts a hand to grab morsels
From the smorgasbord passing by.
And deep within the briny, sweet pulp
A tiny blemish enters,
Creating a dimple
In its silken, delicate skin.
And that seed of sand -
Like the pea under the princess's mattress -
The oyster worries,
Turning and turning it,
Bathing it in tears,
Coating it with slime,
Layer upon layer of pain and angst,
Rubbing it like worry beads
Until it is polished to a fine luster,
And now this irritant emerges: a pearl.
In a lifetime ofimperfections
Can we make even a single pearl?
The bifid themetics of the poem is apparent. The process of formation of a pearl inside an oyster has been put in words splendidly. The second facet displays the polishing of a human being if we conceive it otherwise that every human being travels through several hurdles that sometimes can shape in an awkward journey but ultimately with ingrainement of experiences one acquires the shine of a pearl with so much refinnement in his or her nature. The essence is preciousness comes through imperfections. Regards Naseer
this is so beautiful Lillian... i would like to say perfect but I'll go down a notch and say almost perfect (as you say, beauty of imperfection) ... it brought to mind a poem I wrote called 'Beauty Unearthed'
This poem is thought provoking and breathtakingly beautiful. The beguiling title is spot on for reeling the inquisitive reader in It caught me - hook, line and sinker! 'Beauty Of Imperfection' is perfect! S :)
Like " the pea under the princess's mattress".. lovely metaphor.. great poem
Turning and turning it, Bathing it in tears, Coating it with slime, Layer upon layer of pain and angst, Rubbing it like worry beads.. making a single pearl from imperfections........... great idea that you are spreading. for all those who are not very confident about their own creations, your poem will give them new energy..... tha nk u dear poetess. tony
Wonderful poem about the creative process. Good to read you again.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
a lovely write on a pearl...well this is a perfect pearl...10