She Made Me Wear Pearls - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

0 posted 2006-01-25 05:14 AM

Damusk roses, now petals falling
as Summer’s breath stands still.
Back then they bloomed so fair.
I’d pick the pinkness,
adorn my hair or pin the blush
to Mother’s breast on Sunday.
She always dressed her best
for social hour and ice cream.
She always wore her pretty pearls
as if they were synonymous
with significant acts of valor.

Damusk rose buds made from satin
adorned my gown on wedding day.
A single strand of creamy pearls,
she placed around my neck,
(like a collar worn by pets).
She said, “Perfect...now.”
Her words caressed,
and shadow dreams of my lordly king
bearing roses,
hid the truth again.
(Mother, I thought that we were friends.)

Why’d she persist I wear them?
I never was a “pearl girl.”
Why do women wear these,
Men don’t,
do they?
They reminded me of tears, I think –
lustrous droplets of innocence
and purity (but they’re not, really) –
strung together as a mantle.
As if all those tears could have made that dress
and me
look prettier, hah!
I thought the roses plenty.

Unlike the roses that fade and die,
and are reborn in Spring
gracing my days with simple scents
of lost Elysian and dreams,
pearls are such unnatural things!
They look so soft, but they are hard
and cold and mean until they’re worn --
the spawn
of some poor creature things
whose sufferings so
made tumors grow
around a piece of sand.

Now I understand.

Oh, damask roses, beautiful,
smell so fine, it’s true.
Even when their petals dry
there’s still the scent of heaven there.
But the pearl is like a hard, cold stone
and hurts its mother in the womb.

Mother, now I see
why you gave these pearls to me.
Love is more
than heavenly
more than rosebud’s scent,
and it grows not, but stays a grain,
without some tears,
struggle,
pain.
Pretty though the pearls may seem,
like them,
love is
more than
the dream.

Mother,
you’ve always been my friend.
I just might wear those pearls again.

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

1 posted 2006-01-25 05:34 AM

A quick check of the blue pages and I'm rewarded with this gem. Jo, this is a truly magnificent and meaningful write. If I had more time, I'd say more but the sea calls those who mourn. No, not really - just rhyming. Can't even print it so I'll be back for another read later. Oh, and I have a pearl - a white pearl for wisdom. Would rather have got the black one for love but what is life if not just a lucky dip? Outstanding write!

Helen

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

2 posted 2006-01-25 05:42 AM

Helen, my friend, I hope the sea brings you solace and renewal. I did not know how this one would really turn out. I'm glad you liked it, though. A white pearl for you seems fitting, but I'm hoping you find that black one, too.

....jo

Goldenrose
Member Elite

since 2003-05-30

Posts 3665

3 posted 2006-01-25 06:03 AM

This was so personally beautiful Jo...you have written a poem with a small window on your heart...condensated by the warmth eminating from it's beating..thank you for your words..

Goldenrose.

Desire for nothing except desirelessness,hope for nothing except to rise above all hopes, want nothing and you will have everything.avatar Meher Baba.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2006-01-25 06:33 AM

This was a gentle wrap around
the outward symbols of some
of the finest truths to be
revealed, and sometimes,
it can only come from
the very wearing,
before the
light
dawns.

She
led you
to the truth,
and now you wear
it well, and proudly.

Not an easy task
when we think our
friend isn't talking.

With every action,
she left a legacy.

I'll be quiet now.
But it's a

.

" It matters not this distance now " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love
~*~
KRJ

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

5 posted 2006-01-25 08:41 AM

Ah, Jo this was beautiful..

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

miscellanea
Member Elite

since 2004-06-24

Posts 4060
OH

6 posted 2006-01-25 08:49 AM

Jo,
How this touches me! Hanky alert, Silly! Yes, she is a very, very wise lady and best friend. You have painted her character so well, showing her gentleness and strength. I have thought it couldn't be done. It's a gem of a keeper for me.

love,
cathy

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

7 posted 2006-01-25 08:54 AM

Jo, this poem is literally ~ and figuratively, a gem! I could not possibly express my feelings regarding this masterful write, any better that Sunshine so eloquently scribed!

This is a

of the highest order!

Exceptional writing!

KBHBLY
Linda

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

8 posted 2006-01-25 09:04 AM

Jo~

You put the damask rose on display,
wrapped them in pearls so delicately
Then you *gifted* this beauty
for all of us to see~

This is lovely, lovely, lovely~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email - [email protected]

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

9 posted 2006-01-26 09:00 AM

They reminded me of tears, I think –
lustrous droplets of innocence
and purity (but they’re not, really) –
strung together as a mantle.
As if all those tears could have made that dress
and me
look prettier, hah!
I thought the roses plenty.

Oh.... wow...

I'm sorry... but you've left me speechless... this is magnificent!!

The Lady
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-12-26

Posts 7634
The Southwest

10 posted 2006-01-26 03:36 PM

Exquisitely beautiful poem Jo.

"But the pearl is like a hard, cold stone
and hurts its mother in the womb."

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

11 posted 2006-01-26 03:42 PM

Each moment of this poem is a perfect pearl in its own right.

It is so heart-warming to read of a bond between a child and a parent. Not everyone has that.

- Owl

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

12 posted 2006-01-26 03:48 PM

I put off eating lunch just now, wanting food for thought instead. And I am delighted that this post came to my attention. What a beautiful heartbeat write, Jo!

scorpio
Member Ascendant

since 2002-10-02

Posts 5178
right...there

13 posted 2006-01-26 04:07 PM

A very insightful write Jo. I do hope you wear the pearls again...

believe in what your heart feels...

Joyce Johnson

Member Rara Avis

since 2001-03-10

Posts 9912
Washington State

14 posted 2006-01-26 04:31 PM

Very interesting diagnosis but I expect your mother wore them because that is what a true lady wears. Pearls. Other gems may be considered vulgar but never a single strand of pearls. Lovely writing. Joyce

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

15 posted 2006-01-26 05:00 PM

They look so soft, but they are hard
and cold and mean until they’re worn --
the spawn
of some poor creature things
whose sufferings so
made tumors grow
around a piece of sand.
They are my birthstone...other than an Alexandrite which I shall never be able to afford~~~ but after your description of them I am not sure I can wear mine without thinking of them as tumors

sighing~~

M

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

16 posted 2006-01-26 08:13 PM

Beautifully penned Jo...
Such an exquisite write as this
is deemed a keeper for my library.
Hugs~Nancy

In the midst of winter,
I found there lives within me..
An invincible summer.

jody5
Senior Member

since 2005-12-21

Posts 876
California, U.S.A.

17 posted 2006-01-26 08:45 PM

Exquisite is all I can utter.

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

18 posted 2006-01-27 10:35 PM

Thank you all dear poetic friends! I'm really surprised at the responses on these and so glad each of you found some meaning for yourselves.

...jo

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

19 posted 2006-01-30 05:12 PM

Nice writing...my Mom made me eat hominy...James

wranx
Member Elite

since 2002-06-07

Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

20 posted 2006-01-30 05:30 PM

A pearl....

An irritant made beautiful.

Nice write!

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

21 posted 2006-01-30 06:55 PM

Wonderful writing, Jo! I've always wanted to have a strand of pearls.

Dominique-Simone
Senior Member

since 2005-11-12

Posts 643

22 posted 2006-01-30 10:06 PM

Why’d she persist I wear them?
I never was a “pearl girl.”
Why do women wear these,
Men don’t,
do they?

This poem speaks so loudly... Great write!!

GG
Member Elite

since 2002-12-03

Posts 3532
Lost in thought

23 posted 2006-02-06 10:54 PM

This is beautiful!
I'm not really a pearl girl either, the only jewelry I wear is plain silver earings and a neckelace with a tiny pocket knife on it. But about a year a friend of mine, out of the blue, bought me a pearl neckelace. There really is something magical about it... goes far beyond just jewelry in that way. Loved reading this. Miss reading you.

hope all is well.

Hupomeno.

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

24 posted 2006-02-06 10:58 PM

GG, sweetheart! It's so good to see your name here on PIP. Hope you are doing well. And, hope to see you more. Thanks for the very thoughtful post. Wear those pearls with pride, honey!

...jo

Goodknight
Member Elite

since 2002-06-15

Posts 2386
Ohio, USA

25 posted 2006-02-08 09:53 AM

this is terrific - just loved the emotion and the movement of it - you wrote it wonderfully - Paul

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

26 posted 2006-02-09 03:55 AM

What a beautiful insiteful write this is. I too wore my mother's pearls when I married! And until someone told me my white hair and pearls reminded them of Mrs.Bush,(the first one!) I wore them on occasion....Now? never again! LOL. martyjo

XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member

since 2006-02-11

Posts 1403
Virginia

27 posted 2006-02-11 07:03 AM

Ah ! The irratations. The sufferings, that through perserverance, manifest into a thing of beauty. The Pearl ! By trial and tribulation it is formed. And it is this that is said to form the Gates of Heaven. ::smiles::
What a blessing it was to come upon such a glorious pearl. ::bows::

Klassy Lassy
Member Elite

since 2005-06-28

Posts 2187
Oregon

28 posted 2006-03-07 11:06 AM

Jo, I will be thinking about pearls all day now.  Strangely enough, I have not been able to keep any jewelry that has meant anything to me.  It's all been lost somehow, until about a month ago, my niece brought me a malachite pendant which she had made for me.

My pearls have been hard won, grown through the years, but not as jewelry, just the weight and depth of life being worn to a lustre, but unlike the pearls that adorn the skin  these grow within lessons of patience and love, like the  ones you now treasure.

You certainly explore the mystery of worth in this write.  I adore this poem!

~ Karen ~

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.