Pearl sits
in the eyeless, eyeless dark
and the Rock
runs deep nearby

Silent moves
a deepening empty arc
dreadful echoes
whispers stone sigh

Blind numb Rock
resting low beneath
holding pale Pearl
heavy as Atlas’ world

sit on salt and sand
and look to the bone white teeth
of a coral castle crumbling
signs of time unfurled

and there’s rough Rock
and there’s smooth Pearl
carved by self-same hand
faith and the father’s fortune