The single window was closed
curtains drawn
In the dark, hidden, lay the immense oak chest
filled to overflowing
with shimmering pearls, gathered
over time, as they slithered
down velvet slopes, when tempests raged.
I opened
the window panes
I dared
draw aside curtains
The effect….
You turned away blinded
eyes watering at the dangerous glitter.
Do not go away… have no fear
The dark curtains once again cover
the brilliance I inadvertently uncovered
The brightness shall hurt you no more
and soon as I find a hammer
the panes shall be nailed shut forever.
– Shail Mohan (Oct 2010)
Written for 3WW CCXI
This week’s words: effect, immense, shimmer
Shail's Nest 
very eloquent…. a lovely poem 🙂
@Abha Midha,
Thank you 🙂
Am left blinded by the intensity of emotion this triggers!
Such depth; such vivid imagery! The metaphor works deep, for isn’t a pearl the tear an oyster treasures?
Is is any assurance, I wonder, finally, that the tragic treasure remains hidden? But then, again, who can handle this much?
Fantastic, Shail, just superlative!
@Usha,
…and I am overwhelmed by your response 🙂 Yes indeed, pearl is the tear an oyster treasures 🙂 How perceptive of you to notice that. 🙂 I am humbled by your appreciation Usha. Thank you.
@Shail,
🙂 Delighted!
Are they secrets of the heart?
gems that it doesn’t want to part
but to some it will look like a wart
and using words like a dart
will hurt it and cause it to smart.
Don’t know if I got the essence. 🙂
@Govind,
Yeah you got it alright. But I don’t mind new interpretations, in fact love to see how others see the same words. Makes for variety 🙂
I am not sure I understood this, but it does seem pretty vivid and strong…. I guess PRG’s explanation works for me. Secrets of the heart, perhaps?!
@Pallavi,
Yeah 🙂 Thanks Pal 🙂
So many interpretations! My first thought was the need for a woman to hide her brilliance so as to maintain ‘balance’ the society so cherishes.
Whatever the interpretation – loved the imagery.
@Indian Homemaker,
I hoped someone would see that too 🙂 I should have known you would!! 🙂 I am so glad.
@Indian Homemaker,
I am wowed too, as Shail is 🙂 Thanks IHM 🙂
The header changed when I submitted the comment… lovely white flower.
@Indian Homemaker,
I love this theme and have yet to explore it fully.
And once again, I am wow-ed that you saw that other side of the poem 🙂
Soo very well written,
and so true of so many women … hide the hammer and shine!!!
Just Brilliant :o)
@Deborah,
‘Hide the hammer and shine’! I love that 🙂 Thank you 🙂
Absolutely brilliant poem. So many women consciously dumb themselves down to conform to societal expectations.
@Dreamer,
Yes they do, sadly so. Thank you 🙂
Such feelings and expression in this poem. I very much enjoyed the read. You are quite talented.
@ThomG,
Thank you! 🙂 3WW gives me the opportunity and impetus to ‘create’ something new. I should thank you.
Lovely poem. You are talented 🙂
Hop here from 3WW
Happy Wednesday
Risma
mystery and wow both woven together ! 🙂
@hitchy,
Hey, nice to see you. You are now the masked man, the one and only Phantom?? 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Loved it. And IHM’s interpretation of it, too.
Amazing, how a single piece of text can be interpreted in so many different ways. 🙂 Lovely!
@Priya Iyer,
Yeah, the different interpretations are indeed amazing! Thank you. 🙂
lovely!
@sindhu,
Thanks you 🙂