PEARL FISH

Hey, y’all!

The prompt for Day 4 of National Poetry Writing Month is to:

Write a poem in which you take your title or some language/ideas from The Strangest Things in the World. First published in 1958, the book gives shortish descriptions of odd natural phenomena, and is notable for both its author’s turn of phrase and intermittently dubious facts.

Here is the spoken word version:

Here is the written version:

PEARL FISH

By Farah Lawal Harris, 2024

Friend,

imagine this:

Pearl. Covered. Fish.

They exist!

According to The Strangest Thing in the World: A Book About Extraordinary Manifestations of Nature,

and I quote:

“Pearl fish are minute animals that are sometimes found inside oysters and clams entirely encrusted with mother-of-pearl. They actually become large pearls shaped like fish.”

What a legacy!

To swim into a predator’s trap

looking for safety,

only for the shell to snap closed.

But instead of being digested,

the fish are encrusted in a substance called nacre,

not broken down or deteriorated,

but monuments of resilience!

Their value increases.

I am like a pearl fish.

I swam in treacherous waters,

Nigerian-American daughter.

A thick black-girl child ain’t safe

in an ocean full of sharks!

So I create art to make a splash;

I keep swimming when it’s dark.

Oysters and clams stay submerged during high tide,

and so do I.

Oh, how those waters tried to wash me ashore!

There were times when I felt weak and didn’t wanna swim no more,

times I laid back and let the current control my movement.

But somehow, deep down,

I found the strength to smile,

to appreciate where the water is deep blue.

Some think I’m a fool,

exposing my story like this.

But what they don’t know about this pearl fish

is that she’s been resurrected.

This shining, bright skin is iridescent,

mother-of-pearl, coveted.

And I’m still alive,

a traveling monument to what can happen

when you don’t let a trap end your life.

Trust me, they tried.

Trust me, I’ve cried.

I almost died bout seven times,

but here I am, alive,

sparkling in the sun

and proof for everyone

to not fear the ocean,

but to make it your friend.

The Creator sees your fins, the oysters, and the clams.

Just exist now. Don’t worry about the end.

You can do it, love.

Swim!