The Pearl

It was not a salubrious neighborhood

As the townsfolk there would tell,

But you often found a gem of a pearl

In an ugly oyster shell,

And Derek thought that he’d found his pearl

In those mean and dismal streets,

A girl by the name of Jennifer Searle

Who would make his life complete.

 

He’d met her at a charity ball

On a short term holiday,

From where she sat, at the end of the hall

She’d taken his breath away,

Her eyes were such a delicate blue

And they held him in their stare,

He was like her prize, and hypnotised

As he stumbled to her there.

 

And she bade him sit beside her then

And she let him hold her hand,

And she hushed him when he tried to say

What he didn’t understand,

Her smile was brittle, her hand was cool

And her skin as white as snow,

Her form was frail, but he felt her nails

Dig in, as he rose to go.

 

And a woman came to claim her then

Who dismissed him out of hand,

They waited until he’d turned to go

In a way that was pre-planned,

The woman gave him a printed card

With the girl’s address at home,

And scribbled there, ‘you may call on me

Just once, if you come alone.’

 

So he walked the damp and dismal street

And his heart began to sing,

He knew one call would be enough,

He would give her everything,

He found her door in a portico

With its number shaped in lead,

And rapped the brass of the knocker there

With its atavistic head.

 

Then the door swung slowly open and

He was standing in the hall,

Following tamely where she led,

The woman he’d met at the ball,

Jennifer sat at a table and

She smiled as he wandered in,

He stood and stared at her wheelchair

And his look was questioning.

 

‘You get but a single chance with me

That’s all that I ever give,

I’ve seen the lies in a hundred eyes

So rather than lie, just leave.

My legs have been useless now for years

But I’m whole, and full of love,

If you’d like to take a chance with me

Speak now, for I’ve grieved enough.’

 

‘I fell in love with your eyes,’ he said

‘From the other side of the hall,

I didn’t know that you couldn’t walk

And it doesn’t matter at all.

I wanted to offer you everything

If you’ll have me, well and good…’

Then Jennifer blinked back tears, as she

Reached out for him, and stood.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Avinash]

True love takes off all the shackles created by society and common perception. It takes people to another plane which will be hard for anyone to understand who has not ever tasted it. This one was emotionally beautiful. Your work continues to remain unpredictable as always.

[Confuser]

David: Your poetry is always amazing. The beautiful romatic theme is carried throughout. I love your descriptions and there's always a twist, a surprise, I have come to realize. I found a pearl in an ugly shell; interesting wording. It's another suttle and brilliant writing and your readers will love it. Your characters are well defined through your exceptional use of language, rich and full of imagery. The title is lovely and befitting and the ending and summary is lovely. You have quite a collection of breathtaking work and I am so thankful for the request. I fell in lost with your eyes, he said. I've grieved enough...Love it and I thank you so very much. Dale

[B]

‘You get but a single chance with me
That’s all that I ever give,
I’ve seen the lies in a hundred eyes
So rather than lie, just leave.
My legs have been useless now for years
But I’m whole, and full of love,
If you’d like to take a chance with me
Speak now, for I’ve grieved enough.’

My favorite part

Mr. Paget you are so talented ..... You should write novels and get published
Your talent is quite strong
Wasted here ..... more people should see this .... i would go to a bookstore or library and look for your writtings

Think of it
You are amazing

[Vishuddha]

Oh, I just love miracles!

[Barbz]

What a wonderful tale you tell. A sort of a fairy tale as your character experiences a sort of "love at first sight" feeling. Intrigued by Her beauty, yet curious regarding some unusual circumstances in Jennifer's life...The fascinating twist makes me wonder if she was physically OR, psychologically in that wheelchair....I thoroughly impressed with this expression of your genius......Barbz

[Terrence Chang]

Great write Mr David. I like the poem and soo well written. Astounding to the least

[Marie]

Oh that is wonderful. If's as if he passed some sort of a test. Well, I guess that's what it was.
I don't know if possibly she was really cripped and stood because of a miracle, and it really doesn't matter.

He found a pearl in an ugly shell, and that's the most any of us can hope for.

[Valentine]

Wow, and he got a Pearl...didn't he? Sick of false suitors, she seems to have gotten a Pearl too. Nice write, loved it. Valentine

[Woody]

who else can write such a beautiful poem? certainly none I've come across here.
what a gorgeous ending!! a great one David. you told me once you were running out of ideas. rubbish! you'll carry on taking our breath away for years to come.