This is How You're Fashioned

You work with me better than people.

We do our best together

I see your limits as you stretch

And as you crack I make you better.

Before we start, I’ll plan you out

My work is good but slow

Piece by piece, score and slip,

I start to see you grow.

Our friendship is a give and take

I build you little by little.

It’s what I want and what you can do,

I understand you’re brittle.

Now we both know what you are,

This process is my passion.

Add some detail here and there

This is how you’re fashioned.

When you’re built I look at you

And proudly you beam back.

When you’re dry and ready to fire

I’ll place on the rack.

In the kiln you start to change

From clay into ceramic

I really hope you don’t explode

With every firing comes panic.

Pop the top and there you are,

Still standing in one piece.

I smile at you, you smile back

And we both feel relief.

One step left, glaze or acrylic?

To color and make you appealing.

And soon you’re done, my lovely one,

And you give me a beautiful feeling.

Yes, you are messy, and sometimes you smell,

But to me that’s a part of your charm.

It takes a keen eye and an army of love

To create you and keep you from harm.

Some people ask what I love about you,

“School is long, why stay after longer?”

Well, truth be told, I’m fragile like you,

But somehow you make me stronger.

Some call you gross, or glorified mud,

But they don’t understand

How much I love what we can do

When you’re caked into my hands.

I always have something to do,

But there is always time for you

You are not a thing, but a part of me,

And I will always need you.