Centering Clay

May 24th, 2010 by Mark Nepo

Dig something you think
might last from the earth
and wedge the air from it.
Then clean the wheel, the
one which spins on its side,
the one which goes nowhere.
Slap the clay on the wheel
and sit forward with your
legs firmly planted. Brace
your forearms against your
thighs. And wet your hands.
Let the wheel spin. Keep
your hands steady against
the clay which wants to
leave the wheel. Though
it feels like the wheel is
shaping you, try not to
think of anything. Like a
quiet worker shaping forms
for God to bring to life in
the fire, hold the clay, like
the sum of your time on
earth, in the center for
as long as you can.

| Permalink to this entry