If you want to gather pearls,
there’s little point
heading to the market
where they nestle on pillows
and cost a fortune;
look down,
among the stones,
in puddles of mud, for a soft wink.
If you want to gather pearls,
don’t fear broken nails,
or muddy fingers searching
for half buried treasure
trampled by those too busy,
important, or clean: shimmering
in a dirty palm,
this one has no price.
Why not?
The Beloved is doing just that
with you.
