Seth Parham

Vase

There once was a vase. It was beautiful and made of fine porcelain. It resided in the foyer of a house upon a small table. Occasionally it held flowers.

One day a tiny crack appeared along the rim of the vase.

“Oh no!” thought the vase.

“To simply be!” thought the crack. “To exist!” it went on. “What joy!”

The day to day activities of the house continued. People coming and people going. Walking by the small table, creaking the floorboards slightly, jostling the table imperceptibly. Soon another crack appeared.

“Oh why?!?” exclaimed the vase.

“Hello, friend!” called the crack. “What supreme luck to find myself not alone!”

“Hello there!” replied the new crack.

The temperature changed and another crack ventured further down the side.

“All is lost!” cried the vase.

“Greetings!” shouted the first two cracks in unison.

“Why, hello!” responded the newest addition. “How fortunate to find myself among friends!”

A door was slammed. The vase shattered in a ceramic splash. There was silence. A broom was retrieved.