Dropped in delivery ...

Love is this broken edge –

that everyone feels is a flaw.

        In one sense, it is:

    a spot you can't polish,

    that will never be perfect.

        In one sense it is.

        Buyers hate the broken edge –

    but every craftsman knows:

            that is where

                the paint holds,

            that is where

                the glue soaks in.

                And that is where you see –

                on an old chair, a bed frame

                            “This is pine” or

                            “This is fiberboard”

                        or “This is maple

                                with poplar underneath.”

                            “This will hold” or “This will break”

                        or “This is worth cleaning off the pigeon

                                shit and green dust; this is worth some

                                sanding and varnish; this is

                                a table to set your

                                children around.”

    Love is this broken edge

    that you will always run your finger

            over because it is not

    so smooth. That is how

    you find your

    chair in the dark.