Kintsugi

by Brandon Engel

What broken vessel here once lay,

Shattered pieces in disarray—

Without form, mere jagged edge—

Futile in most every way?

Were not a potter’s hand to sculpt,

Restoring essence to the full’st

By mending each lone jagged edge,

To reinvigorate what dulled?

Had that porcelain e’er not shone

In the vibrance it now beholds,

Glimm’ring along the jagged edge,

Both worth and image now of gold?

What restored vessel purposed through

Christ’ning oil pervading into

And cascading o’er mended edge,

Excess abundance apt to prove

This was made for honor’ble use?

Oh, to be made for honor’ble use!

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Brandon Engel is an engineer and writer. He lives with his wife in Kansas City. When he’s not reading a

book, you will either find him enjoying the outdoors or spending time with friends. He is constantly

dreaming about the next mountain to climb.