Vessel

.

Ding (tripod cauldron), Late Shang Dynasty: photo by Mountain, 27 February 2006 (Shanghai Museum)

It sat there on the shoulders,
an unidentified object,
an unexpected guest.

It sat there
for a while, and then it stood
there for a while, where it was.

It was full of air
for a while, and then
for a while it was

full of nothing, and
then for a while,
blood.

Ding (tripod cauldron) with animal mask, early western Zhou: photo by Mountain, 27 February 2006 (Shanghai Museum)