I am worth my weight in pearls.
Didn’t you know this?
Watch how they push up from my skin -
Boils and bruises turned to brilliance
I am a page of Braille-written grievances

The pressure is my becoming.
What am I without it?
Pearlify me
Until I am a beast of sand and cracked ceramic
My only value is in the tension
Bring it on
Drown me in it
And I’ll fill my lungs with your bullshit
Let it be my worth
Until I clink and chip when I walk