On Oceans of Blue

Two vases stood on the Shelf of Life
As Love came by to look,
One was of priceless cloisonne,
The other of solid common clay.
Which do you think Love took?

He took them both from the Shelf of Life,
He took them both with a smile;
He clasped them both with his finger tips,
And touched them both with caressing lips,
And held them both for a while.

From tired hands Love let them fall,
And never a word was spoken.
One was of priceless cloisonne,
The other of solid common clay.
Which do you think was broken?

-Nan Terrell Reed