Today, by careless accident,

I shattered into glazed fragments

my most precious dust catcher:

A porcelain kitten figurine

treasured for a half a lifetime,

since that autumn eve in spring of life

when my first love gifted it to me.

. 

My kitten, sweet memory vase!

Remnant of a youthful passion wrecked

on shoals of intemperance and immaturity,

my beloved kitten,

forever reduced to inchoate shards.

Lost moments tinkle into the dustpan,

destined for landfill oblivion.

An old dust catcher.

Nobody cares.

Except me.

For what I will never have again,

I cry bitter regret.

LW