The Pearl that Broke Its Shell

by Nadia Hashimi

Madar-jan was barely eighteen when they were wed. I imagine she must have been as terrified on her wedding night as I was on mine. Sometimes I wonder why she did not warn me, but I suppose those are not things women should speak of.

The person who doesn’t appreciate the apple doesn’t appreciate the orchard. You’ll never please them. The sooner you figure that out the better off you’ll be.”

There is some kiss we want with our whole lives, The touch of Spirit on the body. Seawater begs the pearl to break its shell. And the lily, how passionately it needs some wild Darling! At night, I open the window and ask the moon to come And press its face against mine. Breathe into me.

I knew nothing about pearls and shells either except that one had to free itself from the other.

‘Start moving, so I may start blessing.’”

But sometimes you have to act out of line, I suppose. Sometimes you have to take a chance if you want something badly enough.