I see something white glint in the sun,
falling from the goldfinch’s mouth
at the birdfeeder
outside my window.
Birds scatter like seed
when I open the back door.
And there it is—
a pearl
or something that resembles a pearl.
I’ve always been partial to pearls.
While other gems
emerge from the earth’s depths,
a pearl is born of the sea.
It symbolizes the moon.
I scoop it up
and place it on my desk.
When the moon is full
it glows—
real to me
Poem by Arlene Geller
Poet/lyricist Arlene Geller has been fascinated with words from a young age and is passionate about writing. Her poetry has been published in newspapers, magazines, and journals, including Better Than Starbucks, Tiferet Journal, The Penwood Review, The Jewish Writing Project, and White Enso. Her first poetry chapbook, Hear Her Voice, will be published by Kelsay Books in 2023. Collaborations with composers include commissioned pieces, such as: Voices Unfolding, which was selected as the class anthem for a commencement at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey; Elusive Peace, which premiered as part of Service of Lessons and Carols at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York; and River Song, featured in the world premiere of I Rise: Women in Song at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and performed in numerous national and international locations. Learn more about her work at arlenegeller.com.