Pete Goes Swimming

Away over by the bluff
she broke surface; they swung her out

by her heels and passed her
hand to hand through the sun.

A beauty: pearl dead, fish eye -
independent of the air.

Jo Shapcott, ‘Pete Goes Swimming’ (1988), last lines

The Malay – took the Pearl -

The Malay – took the Pearl -
Not – I – the Earl -
I – feared the Sea – too much
Unsanctified – to touch -

Praying that I might be
Worthy – the Destiny -
The Swarthy fellow swam -
And bore my Jewel – Home -

Home to the hut! What lot
Had I – the Jewel – got -
Borne on a Dusky Breast -
I had not deemed a Vest
Of Amber -fit -

The Negro never knew
I – wooed it – too -
To gain, or be undone -
Alike to Him – One -

Emily Dickinson, ‘The Malay – took the Pearl -’ (c.1862)

And she washed his Feet with her Tears, and wiped them with the Hairs of her Head

The proud AEgyptian Queen, her Roman Guest,
(T’express her Love in Height of State, and Pleasure)
With pearl dissolv’d in Gold, did feast,
Both food, and Treasure.

And now (dear Lord!) thy Lover, on the fair
And silver Tables of thy Feet, behold!
Pearl in her Tears, and in her Hair,
Offers thee Gold.

Sir Edward Sherburne, ‘And she washed his Feet with her Teares, and wiped them with the Hairs of her Head’ (1651)