shatter and restart
ink and art
clay recycled
paper crumpled up
pots in a row
maybe they’ll crack
cry and bleed in the kiln
spreading colored disaster
was it rushed, impatience
was it ignorance
your first time,
was it blind, blurred
was it dented, bent
bumped along the way
minuscule fracture, unseen
was it never meant to be?
written in the stars
not meant to take shape,
or keep shape
withstand pressure and firing
focused work, hours spent
with bad results or mistake
or it is what it is, shrugged off
maybe a lesson, an adventure
disappointment, letdown that comes
with all that you invested
did it not take to the heat?
too much, too little?
glaze didn’t react,
as planned, as envisioned
time, diligence
commitment, care, detail
attention and risk
clear equation has faded
into new idea
you follow your bones, your gut
the feeling
options expand, along with recipe
technique, years, hours
of practice and dedication
creating energy, driven or bored
detached or interested
going through the motions
does it all equal success?
can you put in
everything, yet know
the results yielded
may be wrecked
may be wrong?
but might be
better than expected
shocking colors,
surface you are proud of
stunning form,
that holds strong and true
