Fine China

We discovered a piece of Fine China, on a warm July afternoon.
A plate much like every other, but quite precious on it's own.
We adored our newly found treasure and were very proud to let it show,
And celebrated our acquiring it with a vacation on an island of Mexico.

Time blessed us with the addition of two smaller pieces, creating a fine collection,
But perhaps mistakenly, to them we redirected most of our love, care and affection.
The first plate slowly pushed back into routine’s cupboard, not intentionally or totally in neglect,
Yet still it was not pulled out often enough, and it began to suffer the effects.

Over the years we simply forgot how delicate that china plate could be,
Tried several times but failed to make our efforts prime to keep it clean and glossy.
Shamefully denied and ignored the many dangers of it’s possible breakage,
But far worse was the thoughtless mishandling, and we could no longer hide it’s damage.

Angry chips, selfish cracks, and hateful stains that made the bright sheen fade away,
A dusty coat of denial was prolonged from a cleaning put off much too long for some other day.
So now we've done the worst we could do, just short of dashing it against the ground,
And then we’d spend the rest of our lives stepping on the sharp-edged pieces that lie all around.

I desperately pray and truly hope that it's not too late realizing what was done wrong,
To our plate that was once so precious…asking a second chance to save it from being forever lost and gone.
At least we agree that it cannot be fixed overnight, in a week, or maybe even a year.
And surely we know neither one can fix it alone....only together, and that is certainly clear.

We realized although damaged our plate can still serve us up a lifetime of happy years.
As time restores the shine like mellowing a fine wine we know that the process takes patience, and maybe some tears.
We agree on strong values to protect it from being taken for granted or abused, plus we are never forgetting,
To make and keep a commitment to always cherish this unique and invaluable blessing.

Perhaps someday years from now we can look back on this and laugh with a sense of relief,
Because we were able to forgive the wrongs, saving our lives and others from such wretched grief.
We stopped a runaway freight train of blame, and reversed it with the gentle controls of love.
We listened to our hearts instead of bad thoughts, and sought needed help from the Lord above.

Even a blind person can have perfect hindsight...clearly seeing mistakes of the past.
The saving grace is the changes made from what was learned, to make those errors their last.
I blame myself for not trying harder, not trying harder and earlier to protect,
A rare piece of Fine China that needs and God help me will receive,
Far greater love, caring and respect.

For my dear wife Beth, for Christmas 2004
Inspired by a dream your husband Michael had on the night of December 19-20, 2004.

I wrote this poem, but it was too little, too late.