A summertime poem
A part of the gospel talks about the Kingdom of God being, among other things, like a merchant selling all he has to gain one single pearl of great value (Matt. 13: 45-46). A few years ago, I heard a homily about this gospel in which the preacher turned the parable around to explain that Jesus was like the merchant who “sold” or gave everything to win us, His priceless pearls. This made me think on my life to try to see where and when I had noticed instances of the Kingdom of God in front of me. The following poem, which I dug out recently, is what came out of that reflection. I hope you enjoy it, dear pearls! (It also makes for a good summertime poem.)
Deeply Precious
(OR The Deepest Treasures) [Meditative poem] Every day I go out to the sea To see the blue waves crash swiftly To hear the life all around me.
I walk all the way to the shore And catch the glory of the sunrise As its warmth spreads to my very core
The foam lunges for my feet My face is refreshed from the splash Of the crest and my knees as they meet
Sometimes the cold of the water startles My small toes retreat from the ebb And my whole fragile being rattles.
So big, so big is the sea I know, so much noise around me All of it could just engulf me.
Yet as I inch back toward the sand I catch the glimpse of a shimmer I crouch down and into the water I reach out my hand…
My eyes shine like the pearl in my palm Pure, unique, always more precious than the one before This pearl that is to me like a soothing balm…
It is a moment of recognition between strangers When all the set barriers fall And we realize that we were chosen before time to be sisters…
Another is a sandwich offered gladly To bring comfort and strength When my soul was hungry
A rare one is a sweet caress That washes my tears clean And fills me with such tenderness
Still another is the sharing of dreams The enthusiasm of one heart spread to many And all of a sudden life is much better than it seems
Still more are a compliment whispered A smile meant only for me A miracle from heaven uncovered.
I love to gather all these pearls And place them in my hair one by one So they look like sparkles nestled in my curls
( => My mind is at peace…) Or I like to place them neatly on a string And tie them around my neck So to hear the rhythm when I am dancing
( => My heart rejoices…) Oh how I love to gather these moments of love together And adorn myself with them And keep them close to me forever.
I know that they are gifts from the Creator above That He is so happy to crown me with His dignity (beauty and peace) And Who gives me these pearls, pledge of His Eternal Love.
( => These pearls that I love to gather…) So I do not fear the cold of the sea Or the vastness of this world Because I know that it is not empty.
Every day I go out to the sea To let its beauty replenish me To feel the life within me.
*** O You are the Pearl of the sea I have caught a glimpse of your shimmer Would you be a part of me?
