Pearl

Jesus said to his disciples:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
--Matthew 13:44-52

To find a pearl and walk away again,
to leave its luster to the world and then
begin to strip off everything you hold—
a tedious process getting it all sold—
and even then to find your hands too full
to grasp it, oh, but still you feel its pull:
The gleam you saw but once now fills your sight
though you may walk in ever deepening night,
so lay down everything you still possess,
your hopes, your ever growing restlessness
to see that light again; lay down the fire
that burns for it; lay down your heart’s desire;
let go the memory of what you saw,
for you are changed by now—strict nature’s law—
and when you see, it will be with new eyes,
new hands to hold it in a new sunrise.
Let go the world that holds the treasure yet;
let go your own earth—dust to dust—forget
what you have known or been or done or wanted.
Lose everything and yet remain undaunted
in your belief the pearl will be your own,
once you yourself are but the pearl’s alone.
Let go the thoughts and passions that have stormed
within you, and let all things be transformed
beneath your shell, and find then that the world
has all been changed, and all things are empearled.

Religious pendant showing Christ blessing, framed with rubies and pearls, from the Byzantine empire, 12th or 13th century, Louvre, Photo By Jastrow (2005), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=422913