the vase

she sees
the ancient
italian vase
in the air
as she tugs
at the far
corner of the red
hall carpet,
pulling straight
a wrinkle,
but there is
nothing she
can do.
and in the slight
span of time
that the vase
jumps
and tumbles to
break onto the
floor she relives
a love
so long ago,
with her in
venice.
that too
broken beyond
repair.