Use this for darning thumb and finger-tips
of much-worn gloves: see how the rounded ends
fit snugly. Or take this glass cone for lips
to taste champagne from. Anything which mends
is welcome, and shakers that sprinkle sand
for blotting letters. Enclose a flower
between the sheets, or present it by hand.
An antique watch can stretch the scantest hour
and make it last. Quirkiest junk-shop finds
suggest that there is hope for life’s loners.
Cuff-links and buttons - one-offs of all kinds -
serendipity gives to new owners.
But who would give a rusting, creaky tool
once used to ring doves? Who’d be such a fool?
Lucy Lewis
2 March 2007
