Tag news

jeromegagnonblog

New Poems

New poems are scheduled to appear in theSanta Clara Review, a publication of Santa Clara University, and the upcoming anthology, A New Season: Poems from a World in Flux. Edited by Vallejo co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann, the anthology will highlight San Francisco Bay Area voices but “welcomes poets from all regions…” Due around the end of January.

Revision

In the last year or two, especially, I’ve come to enjoy the process of revision. There’s a certain perspective gained in seeing how a poem develops from point A to point B, and beyond. Of course, it helps if you’re not attached too much to the status quo. Case in point, I recently observed as one troublesome word changed from “rising” to “meandering” to “wilding” to “rewilding.” Of course that last change was what it should have been all along. Sometimes you just have to sit down in the chair at your computer or your writing pad and put in the time.

Those Winter Sundays

Born and raised in Detroit, Robert Hayden (1913-1980) “was the first Black American to be appointed as consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress (later, U.S. poet laureate),” according to poets.org. One of his most memorable poems, “Those Winter Sundays,” evokes a “tumultuous” childhood but it also speaks of love’s austere presence. It appeared in A Ballad of Remembrance, Paul Bremen, 1962, and can also be found at www.poets.org.

Contests and Submissions

Ninth Letter, a print journal from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is currently accepting both experimental and traditional forms of prose and poetry. www.ninthletter.com

Publication in Booth Magazine and $1,000 will be awarded to the winner of the Susan Neville Poetry Prize. Submit up to three unpublished poems stories through December 31, 2025. www.booth.submittable.com

Ecotheo Collective accepts all forms of literary and visual expression for their print and website issues. They seek work that reflects “questions of ecology and spirituality from within and outside all religious traditions.” Publishes four times a year. www.ecotheo.org

Wishing you peace and joy now and in the New Year!

jeromegagnonblog

Stanley Kunitz: The Collected Poems

Born in 1905, Pulitzer Prize winning poet Stanley Kunitz lived to be 100 years old. His later poems, beginning with The Testing Tree in 1971, were less philosophical and more personal than his early efforts. Some of my favorites from this period include “My Mother’s Pears,” “Halley’s Comet,” “Snakes of September,” and “Days of Foreboding,” but there are many more; in “The Unquiet Ones” he addresses the deaths of his parents and in “The Round,” expresses his love of gardening, poetry, and life. Kunitz wasn’t averse to confronting the shadow side of the personality or the dark side of history — his father committed suicide before he was born and he commented that the Holocaust was “the basic subtext of much of his work.” Twenty-five years after its publication, The Collected Poems remains relevant in today’s polycrisis for its penetrating gaze at beauty, love, and loss. “What do we know beyond the rapture and the dread?” he asked. (The Collected Poems, Stanley Kunitz, W.W. Norton & Co., 2000)

Rewilding the River Basin

Thousands of native wildflower seeds, hand collected and planted by Yurok tribe members and volunteers, are thriving along the Klamath River after a spectacular show of color this spring. Over 2,200 acres, submerged for decades by four recently removed dams, are part of an ongoing restoration project along the river basin. Some of the flowers that can be found there are California poppies, lupine, buttercups, tiger lilies, asters, larkspur, and orchids. www.oregonstater.org, www.oregonstate.edu

Opportunities

Blessing the Boats Selections, sponsored by BOA Editions, is offering a $1500 prize and publication for a full-length collection of poetry by a woman of color who lives in the US. Named after Lucille Clifton’s award-winning collection, the series will be judged this year by Evie Shockley. Manuscripts must be at least 65 pages in length. (There’s no entry fee.) www.boaeditions.org

Stony Brook Southhampton is sponsoring a short fiction prize for undergraduates. The winner will receive a prize of $1,000, a scholarship to the Southampton Writer’s conference, and possible publication in the Southhampton Review. The contest is open to undergrads in the US and Canada. (There’s no entry fee.) www.stonybrook.edu

Palette Poetry, an online journal, is open for submissions year round for its Featured Poet category. Payment is $50-150 per poem. Aiming for diversity, they welcome “new and emerging” poets. (There’s no fee for this category.) www.palettepoetry.com

Assembling a Poetry Collection

For tips on assembling a poetry collection, see “Putting a Full-Length Collection Together,” June 6, 2021 and July 26, 2021, on this blog.

jeromegagnonblog

Reciprocity in Nature

Examples of reciprocity in nature are at the heart of indigenous wisdom, according to author and scientist Robin Wall Kimmamer . In The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World (Scribner, 2024), she writes that “to replenish the possibility of mutual flourishing…we need an economy that shares the gifts of the earth, following the lead of our oldest teachers, the plants.” An enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmamer is the best-selling author of Braiding Sweetgrass and a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology. Pointing to the Serviceberry tree as a model, she observes that “Materials move through ecosystems in a circular economy and are constantly transformed.” The leaves of the tree draw carbon dioxide, which becomes sugar in the berry, which becomes food for the Cedar Waxwings, which animate their songs and colors their feathers, which become food for beetles, and so on. In this clear and concisely written book, Kimmamer spells out the risks of current practices based on profit alone and invites readers to “consider how you can reciprocate the gifts of the Earth in your own way.” Illustrations by John Burgoyne  

Burningword Literary Journal

My thanks to the editors of Burningword for accepting the poem, “Lost Places” for their January issue. Established in June 2000, this is a quarterly publication featuring an array of poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, and visual art, according to their website. Issues are published in January, April, July, and October; selected work is included in an annual “best of” issue and nominations are submitted for both the Pushcart and Best of Net awards. www.burningword.com

“In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.”  – Pico Iyer, The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere

Poetry Open Submissions

Frontier Poetry is currently accepting online poetry submissions in their New Voices category and welcomes “underrepresented and marginalized voices.” They also offer an optional editorial letter with one to two pages of feedback. Payment is from $50 to $150 per poem. www.frontierpoetry.com

About Place Journal is now accepting “artistic collaborations” of poetry and other genres that explore the experience of cooperative work. Until March 10th. www.aboutplacejournal.org

The Lascaux Review is open for submissions of poetry and other work (up to five poems) and will consider previously published material. They’re seeking accessible poetry “that can be appreciated without notation.” www.lascauxreview.com

Contests

The Harold Morton Landon Translation Award is for “a poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year.” Submissions are accepted through February 15th. www.poets.org

The Center for African American Poetry and Poetics and Autumn House Press are co-sponsoring a contest for a first or second poetry/hybrid collection. The prize is $3,000 and publication; submissions will be accepted through February 15th. www.caapp.pitt.edu

Arts and Letters is now accepting submissions (up to four poems) for the Rumi Poetry Prize. The award is $1,000 and publication on their website. (They “prefer” that entries not be simultaneously submitted.) Through February 20th. www.artsandletters.submittable.com

jeromegagnonblog

Poetry Events

I’ll be reading selections from Refuge for Cranes in tandem with guitarist Jos van der Wilk on Saturday, April 20th from 2 to 3 p.m. at “Books on B,” 1014 B Street, Hayward, CA. Please join us for this impromptu event in celebration of Earth Day and Poetry Month. (You can place an order or sign up for updates at http://www.booksonb.com/)

On Spiritual Verse: A Seminar with Kaveh Akbar. This online Zoom event will take place on two Wednesdays, April 17 and May 1 from 7 to 9pm, Eastern Time. Registration is required. Akbar is an award-winning poet and editor of the anthology, The Penguin Books of Spiritual Verse: 110 Poets on the Divine. https://www.poetrysociety.org

Goddess Art and Poetry, a program dedicated to “poetry lovers who appreciate the goddess archetype, as well as the gifts and stories that women bring,” will take place Saturday, May 18 from 4 to 6pm, Pacific Time. To apply to be a reader or for more information about this online event contact author and organizer Georgia Reash at https://www.georgiareash.wixsite.com

Haiku Notes

A new haiku (first line: “night jasmine,”) will appear in the spring/summer edition of Frogpond, the journal of the Haiku Society of America https://www.hsa-haiku.org.

A haiku on the theme of “transforming paths” was recently selected by the 2024 Golden Haiku annual competition (https://www.goldentriangledc.com). It will be displayed along with others on signage in a 44 block area of the Golden Triangle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. through April and on the website (first line: “lifting a stone,” haiku #73/142).

Books

The Poetry Home Repair Manual

The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets, by Ted Kooser (University of Nebraska)uses examples from the former U.S. Poet Laureate’s own work and that of others to demystify the process of writing and revising. There’s also some helpful life advice here and a dose of good humor. My only quibble is with the title; this book isn’t just for beginners, but seasoned poets and readers, as well.

Writer’s Conferences

The 42nd annual Napa Valley Writer’s Conference will take place July 21 – 26, featuring poets Jane Hirshfield, Jan Beatty, C. Dale Young, and more. The application deadline is April 22nd. https://www.napawritersconference.org

The Las Vegas Writer’s Conference, from April 1 – 13, is notable for being all virtual and features writing sessions, Q & A opportunities, agent and editor sessions, and tips from industry experts. For more information visit https://www.vegaswritersconference.com.

jeromegagnonblog

February Online Events

This month, Mark S. Burrows continues his exploration of poetry and the wisdom of the heart, Richard Blanco reads selections from his latest collection, and Gloria Heffernan offers a free poetry workshop on the power of place.

Homeland of My Body: New & Selected Poems. Join Richard Blanco and friends of The Poet’s Corner as he reads from his latest book, Sunday, February 11, 2024, 4 – 5:30 pm ET. Visit www.https://thepoetscornermaine@gmail.com to register for this free Zoom event.

Sacred Journeys: An Evening Reading And Writing About Place with poet Gloria Heffernan. February 12, 7 -8:30 pm ET. Visit the Raft at www.https://phylliscoledai.substack.com to register for this free event.

Heartwork: Exploring Rilke’s Poetry. Poet, scholar, and translator Mark S. Burrows facilitates this online workshop that explores “how our own heart-work might guide us into greater resilience and authenticity.” Thursday, February 15, 2024, 2 – 3:30pm ET. Cost: $25. Visit www.https://thepoetcorner.org to register.

Aubades: Morning Online Poetry Discussion, Mulberry Street Library, Thursday, February 22, 2024, 10 – 11am ET. Visit the New York Public Library site at www.https://nypl.org to register for this free online event.

A Different Slant

In her review of Refuge for Cranes (Tupelo Quarterly, December 14, 2023), author and poet Aline Soules has written: “On the surface, it would be easy to read these poems as accessible descriptions of the world of ordinary things, to enjoy the beauty the poet highlights from the garden or the woods or the land and creatures around him. But let each poem linger in the mind and their subtle complexity emerges…” www.tupeloquarterly.com

Seven Poems from Refuge for Cranes

Morning Song

I started writing “Morning Song” early one morning and finished the draft within an hour or so. I’d recently seen a yellow grosbeak, unusual for this part of California, and that entered into the stream of things, as did a reference to a “camel inside a camel,” which I think comes from Rumi. The last line was a surprise. I don’t remember giving much thought to loving the unloving before, and these words felt like an opening to begin to see everyone as equally deserving of love. Another way of looking at the last line is as an invitation to love all parts of oneself, so the poem might serve as a prompt for self-care.

Walking Under Redwoods

This poem was brewing on some level even as I was walking through a redwood grove with a friend one crisp December day. As I remember, it was the day after Christmas. Everything was so still and quiet, I almost felt like an intruder. For some reason, our walk prompted my friend to talk about some of her regrets I guess you could call them, and I began to see my own experience through a similar lens. The redwoods seemed to take it all in. Nature, after all, is the best listener. Writing this poem reminded me of the value of silence in our lives, and that includes the silence between words and sentences, the silence of the trees, and the silence of our footfalls on the soft ground. Even the dim rush of the nearby creek was enhanced by that silence around us. 

Sites of the Shutdown

I suppose we naturally look for something positive to come out of the negative, and that was true for me about the pandemic and subsequent shut-down of so many things I took for granted. This poem came out of that sensibility, and it reminded me that what I seek isn’t outside myself, that whatever satisfaction I may find isn’t strictly in the outcome of things but in my response to it. It’s true that the pandemic did acquaint me more with solitude, and it’s not over yet as of this writing. But it also taught me to value even the smallest interactions — at the checkout counter, on the bus, or ordering a meal, for instance. None of these would be possible without our mutual participation.

Earthbytes

This poem was a conscious attempt to put into words the need for an active involvement in the environmental crisis, without being “preachy.” I really wanted to write a poem that encourages commitment to conservation and mindful living. This isn’t necessarily that poem, but it’s a start. It began with a fragment of a line from several years ago, “like the bulb that from darkness emits the bloom,” and evolved from there. Yes, the current crisis is dire but I believe we can make a difference. It won’t be easy, but what’s the alternative?

Enquiry

As I get older, the list of things and people I’m grateful for continues to grow. Sometimes, spontaneous memories of the kindness of friends come back to me. (I lived rent-free in the attics of two different friends for over a year.) It’s a wonderful feeling to thank those special friends once again and to feel reconnected on a deep level, one that transcends time and place. But there’s also the spontaneous feeling of gratitude that arises in everyday activities — gratitude for the cup for holding the coffee, and for the bowl for containing my cereal in the morning. Occasionally, we come across beauty in nature in the least expected of places, as this poem recounts, and these moments are worthy of celebration.

Eye of the Heart                   

This title came to me long before the poem did and wouldn’t let go. I liked it but wondered if it wasn’t a cliché. But in my initial research, I didn’t find any titles exactly like it. I wonder if the subject might have stemmed from some of my childhood art projects in which I took a black crayon and made curvy lines that crossed and re-crossed each other, creating irregular spaces that I filled in with various colors, finally drawing eyeballs in some of the spaces. It was my version of modern art. The surprise of this poem was the last section. I didn’t see it coming. There’s a tangible joy in the practice of wishing others well that benefits both the sender and the recipient.

It reminds me of the metta meditation from Tibetan Buddhism that begins, “May all beings be well, may all beings be happy, may all beings be free.”  

We, Cranes

What I like to call the “happy we” is introduced as the narrator here. The voice includes both poet and cranes, blurring the distinction between observer and observed, subject and object. Although brief, this poem is probably my favorite in the collection. There’s something magical about these creatures, and they seem to invite us into an almost mythical world in which language feels unnecessary.

jeromegagnonblog

Choosing to be Simple

by Red Pine

Copper Canyon Press (2023)

Choosing to be Simple: Collected Poems of Tao Yuanming is an engaging translation of the work of this reclusive poet. Born in Jiujiang, China, Tao Yuanming (365-427 AD) was a civil servant and farmer whose poems reflect a life devoted to the Way. This bilingual edition contains over 160 verses that range in subject from passion and political intrigue to the ups and downs of farming and the joys of wine. Written in a direct and unadorned style, the poems are both wise and heartfelt without being sentimental, as in these passages:    

“I built my hut beside a path/but hear no cart or horse/you ask how can this be/where the mind goes I go too…”

“Fall days are cold and harsh/the plants have all withered/it’s that time of year when we walk on frost/and climb the heights to honor friends going home…” 

They also depict what the late Jack Gilbert referred to as “the immaculate pain of the Chinese poets” — long separations between friends, the rigors of poverty, and the recognition of what some have called an “immemorial wound.” Included here is the twenty-part poem, “Drinking Wine,” that contains some of the poet’s most memorable lines, such as this one from part IX: “meanwhile, let’s share a drink/I can’t turn this horse around now.” Red Pine (aka Bill Porter) contributes his own insights throughout the book to clarify some of the more obscure references and symbolism (chrysanthemums were often used in medicines, purple mushrooms were “one of the favorite foods of Daoist recluses and immortals”). Like his translation and commentary on the Heart Sutra, one of the essential Buddhist texts, Choosing to be Simple offers an invaluable glimpse into early Eastern culture, as well as a look into the heart/mind of one of the period’s finest poets.   

Heart of Zen

“Six Persimmons,” an 800-year old ink and brush painting said to convey the wisdom of Zen Buddhism, will be on display at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum from November 17th to December 10th. Painted by the 13th-century monk Mu Qi Fa Chang, it’s on loan from the Daitokuji Ryoko-in Temple in Kyoto, Japan, and is part of an exhibit, “The Heart of Zen,” that includes a companion piece, “Chestnuts,” on display through December 31st.” Long associated with tea ceremonies held at the temple, “Six Persimmons” has been described by scholar Arthur Waley as “passion congealed into a stupendous calm” and by others as the “Western Mona Lisa.” Gary Snyder has written a poem that references Mu Qi’s work, also titled “Six Persimmons” (Axe Handles, Counterpoint Press, 1983). Inspired by the painting, a copy of which hangs in his home, the poem ends with Snyder standing over the kitchen sink, biting into a persimmon. 

New Year’s Note

Dear Friends,

This will be my last regular post for a while as I continue to work on new projects in 2024. I hope you’ll stay tuned for announcements about upcoming publications and special events from time to time. I’ll leave off with two quotations from Julian of Norwich, English anchoress from the Middle Ages, from her Revelations of Divine Love: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well,” she wrote in what is believed to be the oldest surviving book written in English by a woman. Her vision was one of all-embracing love and she encouraged others to “Remain in this (love) and you will know more of the same.”

Wishing you happiness and peace now and in the new year!

Cheers, J

jeromegagnonblog

New Poem

A new poem, “Pear Tree with Sparrows,” appears in the fall issue of The Banyan Review (www.thebanyanreview.org).

Reconnecting to Nature with Haiku

“The wisdom of the ancestors is shining

 on the hundred tips of the grasses.”

                           – Ling Shao

Haiku have a way of appearing out of the blue, but you may want to try a “haiku walk” in your neighborhood or in a local park as a kind of experiential writing prompt, or just to refresh your senses to what’s going on around you — to nature as it is, minus the usual preoccupations. In Japan, these walks are known as ginkoo (goo – singing, praising, poem-making; koo – walking). You may want to take a notebook and pen along so that you can jot down a few key words about your experiences. These may serve as the basis of one or more haiku later. If that’s not possible, list some of the memorable sites you’ve visited in nature. What was the outstanding thing, experience, or feeling about your visit to each of them? (Think in terms of sensory experiences, such as sights, sounds, or scents.) Compose a haiku using your notes as a jumping off point. Although the traditional format of haiku calls for a pattern of five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third, you may want to vary that pattern somewhat. Do incorporate a seasonal reference and leave off the pronoun “I” if possible.

Restoring Chinook Salmon

Northern California Chinook salmon, which once numbered in the millions, are threatened with extinction due to the construction of dams and the subsequent loss of spawning grounds. Although the situation is dire, there’s some good news to report. A new agreement between the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aims to restore endangered Chinook Salmon to the McCloud River near Redding, just below Shasta Dam. Plans call for developing a “swimway” to allow fish to swim around the dam, and for using eggs from New Zealand Chinook that were introduced to that country in the last century. There are no guarantees, of course, but this could make a big difference in years to come.

jeromegagnonblog

Dear Friends,

I’m taking a break from the blog this month, returning in August. Meanwhile, here’s a link to Phyllis Cole Dai’s website, where an interview appeared on her newsletter, The Raft, on May 28th. 

The image below features a quote from a poem in my forthcoming collection “Refuge for Cranes.”

Enjoy the summer, and stay safe. See you soon!

Best,

Jerry

To hear a selection of poems from the book read by Lisa De Lay, visit lisadelay.com.

jeromegagnonblog Leave a comment

Summer Writers’ Conferences

The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference in Mendocino, California offers “craft seminars, panels, one-on-one-consultations, and open mics.” Registration is now open for the 2023 conference to be held from August 3 – 5. It features keynote speaker Ariel Gore, founding editor of Hip Mama and author of the memoir, Atlas of the Human Heart. www.https://mcwc.org

The Santa Barbara Writers’ Conference in Southern California will be held this year from June 18 – 23 at the beachside Mar Monte Hotel. Celebrating its 50th year, the conference features 30-plus speakers, agents, panels, seminars, and workshops. It can accommodate full or partial week attendees. www.https://sbwriters.com

The Jackson Hole Writers’ Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, will be held from June 22 -24 at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts. Featuring a wide range of speakers and craft classes, including a fiction class by Dave Eggers, it offers both day and evening events, as well as individual manuscript critiques. www.https://jhwriters.org

Books Noted

A Field Guide to Nature Meditation

In A Field Guide to Nature Meditation: 52 Mindfulness Practices for Joy, Wisdom, and Wonder, author Mark Coleman describes how to develop a “nature-based meditation practice (Awake in the Wild, 2022) A psychotherapist and senior teacher of mindfulness meditation at Spirit Rock in Marin County, California, he also conducts wilderness retreats around the world. “Nature teaches us simplicity and contentment,” he says, “because in its presence we realize we need very little to be happy.” For all seasons and landscapes, for sitting still or for moving, these 52 meditations are designed to deepen awareness and support a sense of well-being. https://www.markcoleman.org

Climate Champions

Journalist and author of Girl Warriors, Rachel Sarah showcases the lives and work of influential women “on the frontlines of science” in Climate Champions: 15 Women Fighting for Your Future (Chicago Review Press, 2023, 12 years and up). Aiming to create a sustainable future for planet earth, the subjects profiled here “do not shy away from showing how racial and social injustices lie at the root of so many climate-related issues.”  

Environmental News

Bats at Risk

White nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in North America since it was first discovered in a cave in upstate New York in 2006, according to a recent article by Wilson Ring (www.https://physorg.com). Of the 154 species found across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, 81 of them are “at risk for white nose infection, climate change, and habitat loss,” the North American Bat Alliance reported last month. The fungus is identifiable by white spots on their noses, which can disturb their hibernation and prompt them to leave shelter in search of food in frigid, deadly temperatures. Yet studies suggest that certain bat populations have evolved “an efficient DNA repair mechanism,” according to virologist Dr. Arinjay Banerjee of McMaster University (PBS News Hour, December 2020), and these bats can “provide hints for possible future medical treatment strategies.”

Bats in Poetry

“…And bats with baby faces in the violet light/Whistled and beat their wings/And crawled head downward down a blackened wall…”

– from The Waste Land, by T.S. Eliot

Many poets have written about bats, including D.H. Lawrence, Emily Dickinson, T. S. Eliot, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Anne Sexton. My favorite is by D. H. Lawrence. Known mainly as a novelist (Sons and Lovers, Women in Love), he had a keen eye for observation that served him well as a poet, too. Titled, simply, “Bat” (from Birds, Beasts, and Flowers, 1923), it’s full of unexpected rhyme and images, alarm and, finally, humor. https://www.poetryfoundation.org

jeromegagnonblog Leave a comment

Writing the New Year Haiku

Originally celebrated on the first day of spring per the lunar calendar, the New Year is considered a season in itself in Japan and New Year haiku often depict elements such as blossoms and songbirds. Here’s one by Buson*:

plum blossoms

whether I go north or south —

pink everywhere

This one by Issa may refer to the Buddhist idea of the “dharma ending age”:* 

New Year’s Day —

petals drifting down

in this fallen world

In another year, date unknown, his spirits were up:*

clear blue sky

this New Year’s Day —

glad to be alive

In this haiku from 1689, Basho offers a glimpse of a spring thaw:*

warmth of the sun

on a glistening field — 

New Year’s Day

This last one by Basho, written toward the end of his life, acknowledges a depth of feeling in which beginnings co-exist with endings*:

New Year’s Day

but everything feels like

autumn to me

*versions by jg

Writing Prompt

Writing a New Year’s haiku offers an opportunity to welcome a fresh outlook. This prompt joins mindfulness with images from nature. To begin, make a list of five positive feelings, thoughts, or intentions. Then list several of your recent observations from the natural world. Select one entry from each list and fashion them into a haiku. Here’s an example I wrote recently:

imagining peace,

an end to war — birdsong

from the chimney top

This isn’t the traditional way to write haiku — it’s generally more intuitive, even “accidental” — but I think it’s a good way to widen the lens of attention. You may get one or more effective haiku out of this process; if not, set them aside and try looking at them another day with a fresh eye. Sooner or later, a pearl will show up.