Carried Away with The Tide--What Of a Pearl Poetry Contest

Poem written for "What of a Pearl" poetry contest Craig Cornish, sponsor 5/19/2024 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I remember the necklace rested lightly across my chest. Each pearl, dime-sized, shimmered in the incandescent light. I ran my fingers along the gold clasp, delicate flowers holding the strand in place. For a second the mirror deceived me; the face in the reflection was my mother's. I watched as her eyes filled with stars. She lifted the smooth beads from their velvet lined box. They encircled her graceful neck, enhancing her effortless beauty. Then her reflection was gone. I looked at myself in that mirror and instantly felt foolish, for wearing a necklace made from uncomfortable grains of sand inside the mouths of shellfish and for unintentionally getting carried away with the tide.