Jigsaw Puzzles

I.

There's a lot to learn from jigsaw puzzles.

Every piece is unique.

Every piece is important.

Every piece is valuable.

If missing even the tiniest piece, the puzzle's promise is unfulfilled; it is incomplete.

Every piece has equal worth.

To a casual observer, the worth is not obvious.

A thousand puzzle pieces in a pile look like litter.

Puzzle pieces profit from two things outside themselves: the Puzzler and the Picture.

The Puzzler sees the Picture of completeness.

The Puzzler knows the pieces are more than random bits of cardboard.

The Puzzler knows the pieces were created in unity to seek unity and, together, reflect the vision of a great artist.

The Puzzler's spirit rejoices in steadily, gently, patiently bringing the pieces together.

II.

I wonder what it's like to be a puzzle piece.

Are pieces happy in the box?

Do they get along, snug in the protected darkness?

Is it crisis or Christmas when the cellophane is scissored and the box is opened?

Do pieces like the light?

Is it difficult to be poured out, spread out?

Do pieces get along on the table?

Does corner say to border, "Puzzler works me first.

I'm more important than you."?

Does border say to farmhouse,

and farmhouse say to tractor,

and tractor say to fence,

"I'm more important than you."?

Do they all say to field, "We're more important than you."?

(after all, it seems field are a dime a dozen).

I wonder, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

III.

If only the pieces knew as Puzzler knows.

If only the pieces saw as Puzzler sees.

Every piece is unique.

Every piece is important.

Every piece is valuable.

If only the pieces comprehended the Picture.