Once upon a time,
when I was a student,
I bought a wee balloon china cup.
I still have it.
It’s my cup of choice
when I take a notion
for a wee cup of tea.

The years have taken their toll
on my wee balloon cup –
a tiny chip at the rim
and a short crack,
stained brown.
Not bad for almost 30 years
of constant daily use.

But the other day I knocked it
against another mug.
I glanced down,
expecting to see
that I’d broken it
and I sighed in relief
when my wee balloon cup
appeared to be intact.

Today, while washing the dishes,
examination revealed
that a new crack now stretches
from the tiny chip
all the way down
to the bottom.
Another new crack
reaches half way down.
And I thought to myself,
“My balloon cup is on borrowed time,
just like Danny.”

Something tells me
that soon my wee balloon cup
will be gone.

And so will Danny.

© Claire Murray, 13th June 2012