The Pearl From You
by Lauiliu Joan Mataeliga
Strange, I felt
I saw something strange
I was tempted
I reached for it
I held it
Right in the palm of my hand
It was very smooth
Comfortable
I couldn’t let it go if I had to
I squeezed it
And it became mines
It was a pearl
A pearl from you
Long ago I was fine
I could use anything I had to survive
It was very hard
But happiness was there
I was very proud of myself
I could breathe the fresh air
Feel the breeze
Listen to the birds
And watch the wind
Blew the leaves of huge trees
From side to side
I was fine
Life within one village was perfect
I can see my people
Living their lives
As they used to
Fishing,
Planting,
Weaving,
And praying in circles
Counseling was present
To govern
To protect the society
It was perfect
Then I had something
Very strange
Given freely
From you
The pearl
It was out of the ordinary
I wanted it so much
So much that it changes me
My ordinary being
No more
I developed new senses
New thoughts
I put them into action
And it was wonderful
I had built myself
A city
Like one of those
Europeans types
I just couldn’t stop
I kept developing
And now I am completely
Changed
A brand new me
All because of that
One pearl
You gave me
At sunset
I reflect on the changes
I made to my own self
Compare
To my old version
And from there
I discovered me
Being shattered entirely
A total disaster
My beautiful self
Has been destroyed
I am sinking
Losing my traditions
My ways of living
My methods
My culture
My heritage
Slowly fading
Soon be gone
And no more
I am broken
I cried
I screamed
But all I can hear
Is my voice
Echoing
“You took the pearl”
“It made you, YOU”
At dawn
I discover a crack
On the side of the pearl
It was broken
It wasn’t that wonderful
Anymore
And slowly it changes
To dark black color
I stood there
Starring
For couple of hours
Regretting
And wishing
If only I hadn’t took it at the first place
I would still be me
Perfect and Happy
I am now a total stranger
Living in a strange city I developed
A place I once called
My home
Sheltered with an expensive roof
Unfamiliar to my own picture
Hanging on the wall
My pure soul
My free spirit
My beautiful being
No longer
It was you
It was the Pearl
From you