Delftware

Olivia James Bray

Covered in hairline fractures,

Like a tattooed omen.

Hidden beneath a layer of blue

And white glaze.

Porcelain can withstand

200 pounds of force?

But with one clumsy touch I stare

At a shard-filled sink.

Water spills out,

Rubbing the pieces smooth.

Does it miss its edges?

How its words would scrape my hands?

Something shines through

   The pieces that I fish out with

Nicked fingers.

        Prophecy, entropy, something stupid.

Beyond repair.