Susan’s poem explores the art of kintsugi, the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, transforming flaws into golden seams. The poem transcends a simple description of the technique, delving into a symbolic exploration of broken souls and their unrecognized worth. It’s a unique approach, using an “unfamiliar style” to discuss the very concept of an unfamiliar style.
The poem successfully navigates the complexities of blank verse, a departure from Susan’s usual style. While traces of her characteristic wordplay remain, such as the internal rhyme of “gleaming seam” and “meaning,” and the near rhyme of “dreams,” the poem largely adheres to the conventions of blank verse. Occasional end rhymes, like “birth” and “worth,” are acceptable within the form, and don’t detract from the overall effect. The use of tercets, however, might be reconsidered. While blank verse isn’t always presented in large blocks of iambic pentameter, thought paragraphs might provide a more fluid structure, reflecting the development of ideas within the poem.
The poem’s strength lies in its symbolic application of kintsugi to the human experience. The metaphor of broken souls, mended not with gold but with something less precious, perhaps even unseen, resonates deeply. The poem suggests that these mended souls, though seemingly diminished, possess hidden value. This value, though perhaps not glittering like gold, is nonetheless precious, like “ghosts float[ing] in the sheen of unseen pearls.” This powerful image elevates the poem, leaving the reader with a sense of hope and the possibility of hidden beauty.
The poem also expands our understanding of kintsugi beyond its traditional application to precious objects. The image of a shattered cooking pot, repaired with a simple white paste, highlights the emotional significance of repair. The poem suggests that the value of kintsugi lies not just in the precious materials used, but in the act of mending something dear to the heart. This resonates with the human experience of cherishing broken objects, not for their monetary value, but for the memories and emotions they hold.
The poem offers a fresh perspective on the art of kintsugi, expanding its meaning beyond the restoration of physical objects to encompass the healing of broken souls. The final image of “ghosts float[ing] in the sheen of unseen pearls” lingers in the mind, a testament to the enduring beauty that can emerge from brokenness. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and recognize the hidden value in all things, both tangible and intangible.