Failing Shine

That faucet handle, in the guest bath,

I hadn't looked at it, not really.

But this morning, waiting for the water to warm,

I saw the flakes.

Tiny silver curls, like bad dandruff,

peeling back from the curved edge.

Underneath, the dull gray of something else,

just metal, plain and unassuming.

It was always meant to be bright, to reflect,

to pretend at something more.

But given enough time, everything shows

what it's really made of.