Some Days, a Potter; Some Days a Poet

onto the wheel with a slap,

intended to dispel

voids, air pockets.

deep massage,

knead and fold,

moisten and spin,

splatter and twirl

bits under my nails

hand-shaped, molded,

smoothing the rough

cupping the weak,

urging substance

into the voids

pinching,

fettling,

editing

excess

it is short,

no stretch or give;

I either have to start again–

or let it sit to dry as is.

With thanks to Tracy and to Debbie for their inspiration