Recently on tumblr, I saw some images and an explanation of kintsukuroi or kintsugi, which is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with golden lacquer. Once broken, this pottery becomes a beautiful piece of art and statement of strength. Seriously, have a look.
However, it suggested something quite different to me and my irreparably fangirlish mind...
There is an art they called kintsukuroi
in the days before our Empire; they took
broken pots and with gold
mended them. Vessels intended
for hard use became precious
works of art.
.
The contrast of coarse ceramics
veined with perfection
of lustrous metal – fascinating
I found it, and resolved to make my own.
.
I, too, am an artist
in my own way. Magic and blood
can be shaped to my will
or be used to shape others.
.
I am also ambitious. No common clay
will content me, nor random
cracks, accidental breakage. My design
will be more purposeful, more pleasing.
.
My vessel is chosen. They call him
Leto – it has an ordinary sound. I will make
more of him. I will choose my patterns
carefully. He must be
broken before he becomes beautiful
but not shattered. Some repairs are beyond all skill.
.
I'll put him back together
with gleaming lyrium, more precious
than gold. I'll smooth its silver
into the engravings of his flesh
olive skin veined with perfection.
.
No longer an ordinary slave, but mine
my masterpiece, jealously guarded
and my guardian.
.
He should thank me for this.
.
Even his name
I'll take, and give him
something more, something uncommon
and beautiful. Fierce
he'll be, and I'll name him for the light
that glints from wolf fangs bared
and from his kintsukuroi lines.
.
And if my ambition proves
too great for my untested skill
if my masterpiece is flawed, and Fenris
is not all that I have dreamed him
.
I shall shatter him, discard
the shards
and simply try again.