Embellished With Pearls

By K Lakshanya

Once upon a time, in a not-so-magical land, lived a whimsical little seven-year-old girl

One fine day, she scoured her mother's closet, and found a velvety, pink jewel-case 

Her little eyes shining, she entrusted it, with the very first dazzling white pearl

of many that'd be tucked into this pretty box, embellished with ribbons and lace.

On that day was born, a big dream owned by a pair of tiny, naive eyes

Her fingers would carefully pick the best of pearls, who made their way to this 'chest'

As the rattle of the pearls grew louder, her eyes outshone the brightest of fireflies 

With the pearls, lay her dream in the case, which she hugged tight to her breast.

At seventeen, as raindrops kissed the roof, she sat with her teacup by the window sill

Reminiscing the day she'd dropped the case, and pearls were strewn over the floor

Pricked by splinters of her shattered hopes, she'd felt time come to a standstill

She now clutched the pearls close to her heart, nostalgia interrupted by a rap on the door. 

First love, eternities and heartbreaks later, she decided, this time 'twas more than just butterflies

Finally she'd found the fingers with which, she wanted hers to be forever entwined

"I do", she dreamt of uttering, gazing straight into his charming eyes

Wearing a dress embellished with pearls, which'd taken birth in a seven-year-old's mind.

The wedding gown arrived - yards of spotless white satin, and dainty lilies blooming with grace

Out came needle and thread, the pearls were summoned, and with all the love in her heart,

magic she wove into her dream. She picked the beauty up, and gave it a warm embrace

and my! her dress, embellished with pearls, was nothing short of a work of art.

Against the backdrop of dusk and the symphony of waves, with orchids the stage was dressed

The big day was almost there, festivities in full swing - nails painted, hair curled and a subtle tint of blush applied.

"Tomorrow", she told her seven year old self, "you will be the most stunning bride the beach witnessed"

as she tried on the dress embellished with pearls, and had its beautiful sash tied.

Alas, just then, the dream she'd nurtured for years, chose to wither in the blink of an eye

Bizarre, isn't it, how in the bed of roses that is life, when you least anticipate, a thorn unfurls?

"Why now? Why me?" was all she managed to say amidst welling tears. "Why, why, just WHY?"

A stumble, a fall, barely a moment long - there remained but frayed fabric, embellished with pearls.

Rips and seams perhaps could be sewn, but which thread can patch up a hope-deprived soul?

Fingers which'd dropped pearls in the case, now unboxed Life's wedding present - and discovered pain.

Her heart, and the case, who had both housed the pearls, now held but emptiness, a void, a mere hole.

So she pulled out her sharpest pair of scissors, and the floor was strewn with pearls yet again.

That night, as raindrops kissed the roof, she sat with her teacup by the window sill

Chiding herself, the carpet, the dim moonlight, as tears streamed down her blush-tinted face

Betwixt her fingers, lay a fragment of the dream she'd had, with a broken heart, to kill

The waxing moon seemed to whisper to her.. wiping her tears, she returned the scattered pearls to their velvety pink jewel-case.

The morrow dawned bright, orchids bloomed and waves hummed as she walked up the aisle

Cheeks no longer tinted by blush, gone were her auburn-dyed curls

Sneakers, denims and a messy bun replaced her pencil heels, dress and veil;

And that's how Prince Charming found his bride - adorned by a glittering smile, and a necklace of pearls.

By K Lakshanya