Punctuation in a bottle.

With a singular drop it has the power to rip apart incredible bonds as well as build others up. A duality. Of purpose. Of being. Of function.

It has more power than we often give it credit. 

It can bring molecules together. Or push them apart.  

At rest, it sits there, within the protective confines of its container, shimmering, waiting for the next use. It’s next shot. It’s next opportunity to do its work.

To work its magic. 

It came to rest on that counter in a rather innocuous manner…but now I realize it has become a part of my life, a respite; it harbours a few moments of relaxation in my daily ritual. 

Picked up at the local store, not so long ago, it was chosen from among the dozens like it placed nearby. There were rows and rows. Bottles of different shapes and sizes. It came in a rainbow of colours. Flavours to suits every nasal palate.

It could have been any of them. 

Or could it? Was this one the chosen one? The one that had the right combination of the 4 C’s: colour, clarity, cost, and copy? 

I can’t remember anymore. 

It wasn’t important back then. It’s not important now. 

It’s fluid nature is seen when the elegant bottle is picked up, it’s heft comforting in the hand. Solid. Girthy. As the container is tilted, the liquid glides up and down the sides, settling back down followed by it’s trailing legs dancing behind. Gliding back to repose.

The powerful concoction is highly concentrated, distilled for potency. Concentrated. Some choose to use it uncut. I use it diluted, appreciating its potential, while softening the effect.

Not on the grease but on my hands. 

It is high quality dish soap made by a major player in the industry.

Sunlight.

Golden yellow for both the sunlight it contains and the lemon in its scent. It’s viscosity correlated directly with its quality. 

It’s the surfactant used to clean our dishes – the cups, plates, bowls, and pots. The cutlery. The wine glasses and cocktail tumblers. All the various vessels that bring us together for a meal or a libation, that bring us together as friends and family.

That have helped in building our bonds and our memories and experiences. 

With every use, it can either start a story. Or end one. 

Punctuation in a bottle.

Photo by Bobby Donald on Unsplash; punctuation by me.