Elegy (Crystal Glass)

This crystal glass was given to my grandma on her wedding day
It was one of twelve that were only used for guests
And it loves candlelight, it loves the morning sun
But it spent its days in darkness in a big oak chest
Waiting for white linen and the silver and the wine
On a table set for angels, it would shine

And she said:
Glasses may break if you use them every day
You must keep them safe - They’re like hearts that way
Mostly you can get along with less
Wait for special times to use the best

This crystal glass was given to my mother as a legacy
It was one of ten from my grandmother’s estate
And it loves candlelight, it loves the morning sun
But it spent years marked FRAGILE in a packing crate
‘Til my mother rediscovered it in nineteen eighty-nine
She held it to the light to see it shine

And she said:
Glasses may break if you use them every day
You can keep them safe - but what good are they
If they just stay shut up in some chest?
Why wait to use the very best?

So here’s a toast to lovely things
Hear the crystal speak as it clicks against my rings
And see the facets shine
Makes water taste like wine
Clink the glasses and they sing

This crystal glass was broken on a clumsy Monday morning
It was one of four that my mother gave to me
And it loved candlelight, it loved the morning sun
And I’m sad to see it go, but I still have three
So I will pour some orange juice and drink to precious things
Shake the broken pieces, and they sing

And they say:
Glasses may break if you use them every day
That’s the risk you take - they’re like hearts that way
And every day will put them to the test
But every day deserves the very best