Poem: The Pearl
64A tender, green shoot...
The Pearl
I have a precious secret,
It is a tender, green shoot
Standing alone in the Light;
A seed of promise buried
Deep within the womb of potential.
Fragile and fresh, it requires
All of my attention, love and protection
To keep it safe from disregard.
Steadfastness is the sentry that guards
Against the noisy clamoring of distraction;
Clawing to rip away the Pearl
Embedded in velvet stillness.
I have a precious secret,
It lies within my heart;
Showered by joy,
it grows amidst pink petals of love.
Denise Handlon
November 4, 2009
All rights reserved. No portion of this poem may be copied, printed or reproduced in anyway without the expressed written permission of the author.
The history of the making of this poem:
I decided to post this poem today because it was written on this date three years ago.
I remember the circumstances clearly: I was on my spiritual retreat and through the daily exercises and meditation practices I felt a shift within my heart that was profound and unmistakable. I felt my heart space open wide and was aware of how vulnerable and exposed I felt, yet quiet and contemplative. It was as if I had a special secret that only I knew…and I can only compare that to when I was first aware that I was pregnant for the first time-without a doctor or pregnancy test validating it. It is a knowing; a stirring within the soul.
Other people commented on my changed affect and demeanor within the group. Later, as I sat in meditation a visual image of a tender new shoot of plant life came forth. The green was a deep, healthy and prominent color. In the spiritual work that I do the color green represents compassion. It is a personal essence that is within each of us and we can all connect with that part of ourselves as we become sensitive and aware of when we are kind, tender or empathetic towards another living thing. This is part of what Hameed Ali has studied and written about through his Diamond Heart series. It is the spiritual path that I follow.
As I sensed into the tender green shoot I became aware of the love that I felt that filled my heart space. The personal essence of love shows up in soft pink. In addition to that, yellow joy filled my chest and I felt light, loving and tender all at the same time.
This sensation continued as the retreat ended and I returned to my work. However, as I resumed my daily living schedule I was aware of how many distractions that arise each moment of each day that pulls our attention from the place within-our soul. I was vigilant not to allow that to happen to this tender shoot that had appeared during the break from routine.
Explanation of particular lines and words used
I began to write the poem from the effect that the shift had occurred-noticing the ‘secret’ within and realizing how precious it was. In Hameed’s book, The Pearl beyond price, he writes of the representation of the soul as the Pearl within each of us. I mention the Pearl in this poem because it is an important aspect of what had occurred during the retreat-the recognition at a deeper level of that Pearl within my own self.
The line, ‘to keep it safe from disregard’ was especially important for me to add. It acknowledges the fact that we often are touched by a Divine Grace that we can brush off as not being real, or a silly feeling, or perhaps as a wonderful experience, but merely an experience-not the reality of our Being. For me to write this out confirmed that I validated this was not something to be taken lightly. Thus, the added words of, ‘protection’, ‘guards’, and ‘steadfastness’.
Finally, the two lines, ‘a seed of promise buried deep within the womb of potential’, acknowledges that we all are living potentiality. Again, when our ears are deaf from the noisy clamors of the world around us, and our eyes blind to what can only be sensed within, we often miss the very beginning of what our own greatness is…the nudging of that seed poking itself out into the sun, attempting to get our attention. And, once it has gotten our attention, to grow without the trampling of skepticism and harshness from the world around us.
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Thanks Gail-boy were you quick to read and comment. Well, I just finished it and am packing up for my drive to Greenville for work. :( I'll be in touch later.
My favorite is your last line. You've written a beautiful poem. voting up and beautiful
Denise - I was sure while I was reading it that you were talking about a pregnancy. And in a way you were, but it was a spiritual pregnancy. Very good analogy and using words to describe.
I wondered if your poem wasn't talking about a pregnancy also. I really like the poem and what a beautiful way of expressing such an important event in your life. I love the "showered by joy etc. Rated up and pushing many buttons.
This is such a wonderful poem. Truly spiritual in essence. The history of the poem makes it even more relevant and interesting to read.
I love this Denise and thank you for sharing your experience - I've voted it up and stuff and shall +1 and tweet it.
Writer20-thank you for sharing your favorite part. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Homesteadbound and Pamela-I chuckled when I read your comments. Yes, in many ways I suppose it can be compared...it was a 'beginning' after all. It was really interesting that the 'secret' that I wanted to share with no one, was exactly how I felt when I became pregnant with my first born. Thanks for reading and voting. :)
Hello Charu-so happy that you stopped by again. I'm glad you found it interesting.
Annie-I really appreciate that you +1 and tweeted it. I haven't had that happen yet (this is a first :) ) although I have done that to some ohter hubs. Thanks!
This is a beautiful poem. It's very true that the 'noisy clamoring of distraction' so often takes away from the peace and contentment within.
This makes me want to take up meditation...Thanks for the inspiration!
"the womb of potential" perfectly describes every moment of our future. And that little seed in the heart, love, joy, understanding, creates life indeed. What a great poem! It is very inspiring and I truly enjoyed reading it.
Nice poem with a great meaning to it. It's quite inspiring and meaningful to me.
Wow! Very profound. I love the way you described the spiritual process that you went through. Beautiful!
thepracticalmommy-moms are especially in a position to lose that peace within because of all the multitasking, as well as the habit of jumping into the future-imagining what life will be like for our little ones in the future. Nothing wrong with daydreaming, except that it pulls us away from appreciating what is in the moment and then we spend time thinking about the past, LOL So, by all means: meditate for a calmer groundedness and then practice staying aware of what is happening each moment-and what happens when our minds wander from that place. One brings peace; the other suffering of sorts-at least frustration and discomfort. Many blessings.
Hi Hyphenbird-thanks for your feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
rai2722-thanks for reading-glad to know it was meaningful to you my friend.
Hi Dorsi-thanks for your comments; always appreciated.
what a beautiful poem...again you amazed me Denise with your metaphors...
I love how poetry can have multiple meanings within such few words and you capture this so eloquently. The spiritual birth and journey is often distracted by daily life. It is sometimes hard for us moms as you stated above to practice this. Thanks for the beautiful reminder, I need to keep at it!
Hi raciniwa-thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Cara-yes, it is easy to get lost in the day to day junk of life and miss its beauty...I am also practicing this-if nothing more than to acknowledge that I shifted my focus from my true intention. It is certainly understandable. There are a great many things going on during the early years of motherhood that are VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. Of course, I am emphasizing this because ultimately, there is nothing more precious than to live in the moment and acknowledge it for what it is...even if it feels like nothing but a sticky mess! The relief comes from going with it and not trying to resist it or manipulate it into something else. Take heart, it will come more easily through practice...and 'breathing'! Thanks for your comments; always good to hear from you. :)
Beautifully rendered. Love the last 2 lines "showered by joy/It grows amidst pink petals of love." Rated up.
Hi anglnwu-thanks for reading and commenting and for the vote. :) Glad you enjoyed it.
"we often miss the very beginning of what our own greatness is" my goodness what profound words you type here. I am moved deeply. Like a shoot we grow, we learn, we love, we inspire and then we die, making way for another. We cross over and start over the journey whence we came. Blessings to you my fine poet. Brilliant work.
This is a short poem filled with great meaning. Your explanation of it adds even more meaning. Thanks! Enjoyed this!
Excellent! Excellent!
Denise ~ Truly lovely. The background to the poem makes it even more so. How is the little Pearl now? Hugs, Debby
Ken-I am so humbled by your comments. Coming from such an esteemed poet as yourself, whose work I greatly admire, was quite a compliment. Thank you.
Hi Peggy-I appreciate your feedback. :)
Jerilee-so nice to see you here-thank you! thank you! :) I'm glad you liked it.
Hi Debby-my goodness, it's been a long time since we bumped into each other in this long neck of the woods, LOL So glad to see you again, and I am assuming that your business is alive and well! Hugs back.
I enjoy reading of your journey, the shifts you experienced, as I too am on this path. You captured this beautifully in your poem.
Rated up and beautiful!
Very Beautiful..
Hi Marie, nice to see you. I was just thinking of you this past w/e wondering how you are coming along with getting your book published? Thanks for reading. I know that we have much in common-our spiritual paths being one of them.
Hi Ruby-so good to see you. Thanks for reading and commenting. :)
This is a very effective poem accompanied by a very interesting description, Denise. Thank you for the information.
Hi Alicia-thank you for your comment. I appreciate you reading and giving me your feedback. :)
I wear pearl in my finger because an astrologer recommended me. I very much enjoyed your point of view.
Thank you, Vinaya. I have a special pearl necklace that my daughters gave to me for my birthday one year that means a lot to me. I also have a beautiful pearl necklace given to me by my brother who is now deceased. Pearls for me are very significant. Thanks for reading.
Hi Denise ~ I love pearls, too. A most favorite adornment to wear. Getting ready for rainy weather and shortened days. Hugs, Debby
Yes-here comes the rain now! Thanks for reading and commenting. (What girl doesn't like pearls, right?)
I love the story behind the poem. Your explanation made so much sense that i had to click awesome and beautiful with speed. Amazing poem
Hello Ubanichijioke-thanks for taking some time to read this. You are one busy guy with all the beautiful poetry you write. :)
Good poem, my friend. Excellent!
Dear Denise - You have written not only a deeply moving poem but also an excellent history and explanation. You are beyond gifted. I am sending this out to family and friends. Outstanding!!!
vocalcoach~
Denise,
This was my first read of your poetry, and, it's very good!
I'm new at learning to understand and appreciate poetry. Yours was easy because, if I'd not understood the key points, you were very kind to explain it below!
It was a wonderful experience you described, and bravo for sharing it in such a beautiful piece!
I'm looking forward to becoming more familiar with your work. :)
Motherhood is a very liberating experience to women.
Thanks for sharing your kind of 'pearl' that made your pregnancy a wonderful episode in your life.
Hi PDX-boy, that says something, coming from you. :)
Audrey-what a compliment from you; to share this with our family and friends group. I appreciate it.
Hi femmeflashpointe-nice to see you again. Thanks for your interest in reading my hubs-glad you liked this one.
Hi Travel Man-Well, I'm sorry if I misled you with the explanation--this is NOT about my pregnancy. This poem was about my spiritual journey and the awareness of that wonderful connection with God, my soul, etc. Thanks for reading.
Thanks for saying so, Denise, and thanks for sharing!
@ PDXKaraokeGuy=-you're welcome :)
Happyboomernurse Level 8 Commenter 6 months ago
Wow! I really loved the poem itself and the story behind gave even greater depth of meaning to it. My favorite two lines were: "a seed of promise buried deep within the womb of potential’, acknowledges that we all are living potentiality."
How very true. I thought it was also beautiful when you spoke of "knowing" you were pregnant even before tests confirmed it.
Voted up across the board except for funny.