Dedicated to: @_NofriendsBaka 

I kept trying to add the dedication the usual way but it just wouldn't stick.

~

Aeons ago, I

wrote about a pearl,

a bourgeoning-baroque form,

faux-

shining, rough on tongue,

resilient-smotherer.

~

Lately, have I sensed

a shifting responsiveness,

a sweet sloughing of coarse skin,

mollusc yawning, opening

and bracing oceans rushing in,

dissolving.

~

I thought it specious -

at first -

suspiciously childish in hope,

a blatant 'now I lay me down... to

sleep', naïve wish to disrobe sin.

~

An un-dim-inion-ishing.

~

Although - tres converse -

I felt more, somehow, not less

not stagnant, as supposed, just

altered

by unrelenting

stress.

~

And when - - - at - long - last - - - final limitation - - - was snakeskin-cast,

no coal at core - - - the reverse - - - pure Cullinan*.

~

The Cullinan diamond - known as the 'Star of Africa' - is the largest diamond ever found.