you have carried it heavily
felt the bold weight
as if there were a chain attached

this pearl inside you
began formation
at a most tender age
a jagged speck at first
polished and nurtured
into a black luster

there are times
a man attempts to control everything
and nothing… yes, nothing

I fell to a desire to possess
this inky orb within
to pry it loose and carry it
as my own gorgeous burden
a porcelain purple heart

with a higher love
I must abnegate
this quixotic sentinel

your tears cannot feed me
this pitiful love of your pain
only selfishly adds layers
of iridescent black nacre
estrangement of unwanted care

instead I will hold dear
my own light
and your path of discovery

© Tom Watters  9/30/07