She walked onto the pier
Holding her mother’s hand…
Splashing water danced
Against the moss covered beams,
On the Sea of Japan…
Gazing with amazement at
The native lady’s Asian face,
She watched with fascination
At the beauty that surrounded her
In this oriental mystical place…
A basketful of oysters sat at
The old woman’s feet,
She sold them by the seashore
To help support her family…
“Hitotoso o erabu” pick one,
She said to the quiet child,
The girl understood somehow,
Giving the Japanese lady a very shy smile…
She chose the oyster carefully
With wonder in her big brown eyes…
When the old woman opened it
An exquisite black pearl was nestled inside…
As ancient folklore goes
The Black Pearl was made of tears
Of mythological mermaids and Heaven’s angels,
Believed throughout bygone years…
The old woman exclaimed,
It took a special person
To find the rare Black Pearl…
That day was marvelously magical
For that three year old
Golden hair girl.
©Leatherman 2014
This is a true experience from my childhood.
I can still picture that old Japanese woman’s face and
I remember how excited she got when she saw the pearl I chose.
