Life's Medium

To throw a vessel-

mud in one hand, and water in the next

is to take life’s given medium-

river’s rock and earth’s ash-

and form our own purpose.

I sculpt like an artist

whose medium is clay

and experiment, facing the uncertain 

through trial and error.

I wedge the mud that is my future;

still a question spinning

on the wheel; a vessel I have

yet to center, let alone shape,

let alone create.

Slip drips and glaze runs, 

mud folds and earth cracks,

but clay is my forgiving friend-

reusable time and time again.

It comes alive like the first iris

in a bouquet to bloom; it’s purple

petals singing in the sun.

Artists do not master overnight.

The vessel I am so eager to behold

can only be found within

the act of finding.

Author's Note

Metaphors