Oxide

The handle didn't snap.

It just turned into a pile of orange dust

in the palm of my hand.

I can’t seem to wash the color off.

I was moving the watering can

into the shed before the rain.

It’s been out by the crawlspace

since the first frost.

The bottom is still bright silver.

It’s a secret the rust hasn't found yet.

I left it there in the dirt

because I didn't want to see it

lose its shine.