Crystal of Life

As I clear the spidery cobwebs
from my dormant brain, I realize
that life is fragile. Handle with care.
Like a fine piece of discontinued crystal,
it is priceless in its similarity
to the rest of the set. Once shattered,
the set becomes scarred forever.

We cannot glue the pieces together
as the seams will show and water
will seep through the cracks. Splinters
of glass cut deep and powder of dust
burns the skin like salt in the wound.
The loss is insurmountable. Never
again will that set be complete.

Over time, we might be inclined
to replace the pieces with others.
Perhaps another pattern will do.
Regardless, it will never be the same.
We can only substitute one for another;
We can never replace what has been lost--
nor should we want to. Handle with care.