My eighth graders are currently reading The Pearl by John Steinbeck. It's a fable about injustice which unfortunately doesn't turn out well in the end. Fortunately, life doesn't always imitate art. Here's my own pearl story, from my 1995 album I Own This Town, with a happier ending (so far so good!).
The Pearl Within My Heart
Have you ever wondered how a pearl begins?
An oyster cracks its shell, a grain of sand slips in
That grain of sand gets lodged against the oyster's tender flesh
And it feels a pain with every movement, every breath
An oyster cracks its shell, a grain of sand slips in
That grain of sand gets lodged against the oyster's tender flesh
And it feels a pain with every movement, every breath
The oyster cannot rub that grain of sand away
So it cries itself to sleep, dreaming shades of gray
But morning brings a miracle, a shining silver coat
That wraps around the sand and smooths away the hurt
And you are the pearl within my heart
You are the pearl within my heart
The moment I first saw your face I felt my healing start
You are the pearl within my heart
Most folks give a diamond at a time like this
When they make a lover's promise and seal it with a kiss
But diamonds aren't forever and they cut so very deep
So I'm offering this pearl I'm praying that you'll keep
For you are the pearl within my heart
You are the pearl within my heart
The moment I first saw your face I felt my healing start
You are the pearl within my heart
You are the pearl within my heart
(c) 1995 Terry Kitchen/urban campfire music, BMI
