Like A Fair Pearl
This poem invites us to remember that even in the depths of life’s struggles, hope is quietly growing within us.
Hope may be hidden for a time, but it is never lost.
Updated January 13, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer
In Like A Fair Pearl, Mary C. Ryan uses the image of a pearl hidden deep within its shell to remind us that hope lives inside every heart. Just as a pearl forms far below the surface of the sea, our hope often grows quietly during seasons of hardship, unseen by others yet steady and strong.
This poem gently reassures us that life’s difficulties do not define our future. Joy and sorrow may come and go, but hope remains unchanged. Through faith, we are reminded that this world is not the end of our story. God sees the treasure within us, and in His time, what is hidden will be revealed in light. This poem encourages us to keep trusting, keep believing, and keep looking ahead to what lies beyond today.
Like A Fair Pearl
Like a fair pearl within its shell,
A sweet hope lies within each breast;
Far, far below the billow's crest.
Below each varying tidal swell
Though dark the tide 'neath stormy skies,
Or bright the gleam from moonlit waves,
Alike serene in ocean caves,
The perfect jewel hidden lies.
Thus through each scene of joy and woe,
Life's sweet hope e'er remains the same,
Unchanged by time and fickle fame,
Its genial rays in all hearts glow.
But as rough shells from the dark sea,
Disclose their treasures in the light,
Rare gems reflecting sunbeams bright.
In crowns of kings honored shall be.
Lifted by God from depth of night,
The ransomed soul as changed shall be,
From cumbrous earthly shells set free,
Ever to bask in Heaven's light.
For in a brighter world than this,
Life's hope at last will be revealed,
The longing soul be satisfied,
Resplendent in eternal bliss.
Key Messages in this poem:
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Hope lives within every heart
Just like a pearl hidden inside a shell, hope rests quietly inside each person, even when it cannot be seen.
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Hope remains steady through all of life
Whether life brings joy or sorrow, calm or storms, true hope does not change with circumstances.
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Outer struggles do not destroy inner worth
Hard times and rough conditions may surround us, but they do not lessen the value of the hope within.
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God reveals the true treasure in His time
What is hidden and unseen now will one day be lifted into the light by God.
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Earthly limits will fall away
The soul will be freed from earthly burdens and transformed into something greater.
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Eternal fulfillment awaits
In heaven, hope will be fully revealed, and the longing of the soul will finally be satisfied.
Overall, the poem reminds us that hope is God given, unchanging, and eternal, quietly growing within us until it is revealed in full beauty.
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Conclusion
Like A Fair Pearl leaves us with a gentle reminder that hope is never wasted, even when it feels hidden. Life may bring seasons of struggle, loss, and waiting, but the poem assures us that these moments are shaping something meaningful within us. Just as a pearl is formed quietly over time, hope grows steadily in the heart.
This poem encourages us to trust God’s purpose and timing. What we cannot yet see will one day be revealed in fullness and light. Until then, we are reminded to hold on to hope, knowing that a brighter future awaits and that this life is only the beginning.
More Mary C. Ryan Poems to Inspire
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