Pearl in a Shell

written by Eric Schiller
copyright Eric Schiller
2/18/1999
On the beach one day I find an oyster shell;
Just one of many, it sticks out to me somehow.
Despite time and weather, this one seems well.
No ruin by a dent or scratch, will it allow.

I place the shell in my hand,
And find a curious thing,
Never noticed before by man.
Its shell so thick and heavy, prevented it from opening.

I work with the shell, taking my time,
Wanting to know what's inside.
Something plain and average, or beautiful and sublime?
What I found, explained the outside.

Inside the shell was battered and bruised,
The scars that should be outside,
From years of abuse,
Were absorbed, trying to hide.

Also hidden inside that beautiful shell,
I found a beautiful pearl.
Which, best as I can tell,
Is known to only a few in this world.

So happy was I this pearl to find,
I took it away from that brutal shore.
To call my own . . .
For ever more.