Saltwater Puzzle

i never understood

the beauty of a pearl

layer upon layer

of mucus

spread and encrusted

in warped patterns

that neither reflect or collect

the light

but only partially store it

leaving the rest as a waste

to sit in lazy puddles

around this spat up gob

of hardened excrement

i do not understand 

the awe and weight

that seeps into their eyes

as it rolls around their hand

its sticky edges

pulling their fingers to curl around it

teaching them to cling to it

to slide paper and coin and magnetic strips

through the metallic mouths 

of other's secret hiding places

so as to keep the patterned drop

of expelled filth 

tight in their sweaty palms 

i do not understand it

and perhaps never will

what is precious in a pearl

you might as well say 

that pain creates beauty.