I have some china dishes,

I line them up in rows.

They sit upon their shining shelves

while standing on their toes.

I keep the glasses polished,

the bowls and plates will gleam.

But if you think they have no flaws,

it’s only how they seem.

The cracks are all well hidden,

the scratches neatly glossed.

And sometime when these dishes moved,

a silver spoon was lost.

You may see them standing tall,

but watch what you assume.

You can’t see all the corners (gray),

or cobwebs in the gloom.

You could open up the door

and take some china out.

But please don’t drop it in surprise

when you find all the doubt.

It takes a lot of work to keep

the plates in neat array.

But even cups get lonely, too:

oh, won’t you come and stay?

But years draw on, and dishes

wll show no signs of age.

So patiently, they’ll spend their days

inside this crystal cage.

I have too many dishes –

I don’t want any more.

Some day I’d like to take them out

and slam them to the floor.