Shattered

The clay pot hardened from the fire
faced life's storms, the wind, the rain
It stood beautiful, ornamental, useful
Curved, burnt orange, strong and proud

A stray stone tossed from afar
A small hole, slowly released the core
The water, the sand, the seeds
Beauty marred, but still strong and proud

A curious hand tore at the pot
Ripped off shards, pulled at the core
The clay pot weakened, fragile, useless
stood shaken, wounded, humbled

A gleeful hammer struck the pot
Crushing, demolishing, killing the core
The clay pot broken, battered, useless
In pieces, shattered, ugly, worthless