you thought that your strings were too few and thin
so you just finished the job
snipped them off
didn’t realize the dozens and dozens
connected to all those around you
who staggered when your post went limp
trying to compensate from the sudden loss
of tension
an intricate web of connection
threads not visible, just felt, just known
until something settles on them and the
light shines through
drops dripping off
the salt drying and adding a layer to the gossamer
a priceless vase broken in a split second
of destruction
ornate porcelain shattered into millions
of pieces of mess
no amount of glue and sweat and prayer can put them back together
a star of beauty twinkles out