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Open Poetry #44
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The Potter's Lot
| Open Poetry #44 |
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The Potter's Lot |
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turtle Senior Member
since 2009-01-23
Posts 548Harbor 
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The Potter's Lot The Potter plies Fall's fresh shorn fields And searches for his clay. He squeezes it, to weigh the worth Of earth mixed red with grey. Twixt thumb and finger pinched to test For temper, tack and slip; If jasper, whelk, or cattail fluff, He knows its grog and grip. With spade and cart he draws his art From harvest-stubble fields. He'll knead the work to texture best Prepared to be hand-wheeled. Depending on the wares he wants, A teacup, crock, or jug; He lades the lump, with attribute For casting from its pug. First center on the throwing board, Then give the wheel a kick. He'll wet his hands and set the speed Just right for molding thick. In turning to the task at hand He toils into the night, And if it takes him until dawn, He'll throw by taper's light. Once fettling's sat to leather-hand And dry for firing day- Again he'll walk the stubble fields For earth mixed red with grey. Turtle [This message has been edited by turtle (03-07-2009 04:29 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2009 turtle - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
It's quite an art isn't it? It appears that you are a potter or at least know the art quite well. This is put together very well. Some of the phrases applying to the art I'll have to look up. The flow of this read is easy. Carries the reader through with captured interest. Delightful read because the descriptions are tied to the heart of the artist seeking perfection. Eric |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Oh, now THIS is a keeper and one to share with some potter/sculptor friends. I have some 'deep-time' mauve clay (approximately 400 million years old) that I'm anxious to work with, though I'm not a potter or clay sculptor. I want to create a small medallion, a bas relief of seashell shapes, dolphins, or perhaps sea-birds, that might hang from a mobile. Creating kinetic 'sculptures' (Mobiles) and designing pleasant 'natural' gardens are my real 'art' and heart. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
You are one multi-talented turtle! In fact, I believe you may be the one and only turtle potter that I know! ~ and if by chance you haven't tried your hand (claw?) at the craft, you sure as heck appear to know a great deal about it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an entertaining and poetic manner!   EA |
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pontyjim Junior Member
since 2009-03-06
Posts 40Ontario, Canada |
Awesome little journey. Just loved bobbing up and down the lines. Kudos. |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
turtle - a most delightful write... BC |
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turtle Senior Member
since 2009-01-23
Posts 548Harbor |
Eric - Thanks, glad you liked the read Midnite - heh. Glad me little story strikes home. I've tried getting into pottery, but this poem is mostly the result of research. Thanks  Angel - Naw. I tried pottery once, but when I got to narrow necked jugs my claw nail kept cutting off the tops..........plop!....hehJim - Hi Jim welcome to PIP. Glad you liked Bill - Thanks Bill Like many of my little stories this has deeper meaning....... Stupid turtle......leave these nice folks alone! |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
It's always hard for me to find the 'meaning' that a poet is striving for when writing a poem. I always apply my own life experiences and my meaning is tainted with those events. However, I believe we always are seeking. I thought of knowledge when I read this poem. We can attain it, but never have enough. If we are so complacent to believe we have mastered a subject - there's always a reminder that there is more to learn. There is always more to experience. There are always more ways to improve. Like the potter, I keep searching for the right soil. Alison |
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turtle Senior Member
since 2009-01-23
Posts 548Harbor |
Hi alison, I like your take on this poem. Actually the idea for this poem comes from Genesis, where God molds man from clay. Sort of makes him a Potter, I think. "weigh the worth" "earth mixed red with grey" "temper, tack and slip" "molding thick." "with attribute" and even "A teacup, crock, or jug;" Are all intended as clues Oh~ you just gave me an idea, I'll capitalize the "P" in "potter"...cool turtle |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
enjoyed your take on potters...I use to do craft shows for over 20 years and know quite a few potters, besides having a collection myself. M |
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turtle Senior Member
since 2009-01-23
Posts 548Harbor |
Hi nakdthoughts, Thank you, glad you liked....... Please put your coins in the monkey's shiny cup........ |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
I am clueless when it comes to Bibical references - but that's interesting. |
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turtle Senior Member
since 2009-01-23
Posts 548Harbor |
Hi Alison, Not your fault sweety, If the writer isn't conveying his thoughts it's the writer's failing not the readers. I think I'll need to work on this one. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
But is it a failure of the poet? Don't we bring our interpretations to the poem, and perhaps we read different things into them? I loved reading what your thought was in writing the poem, but I also enjoy finding what I think they mean. I am not sure if I agree with the word "failure" - maybe "thought provoking"? Love the discussion, by the way. A |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
though not familiar with some of the intricate jargon, loved this one from the Start, these lines are my favorites: "With spade and cart he draws his art From harvest-stubble fields. He'll knead the work to texture best Prepared to be hand-wheeled." ...it is all so rich in depth and meaning...well done... |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I just read of your inspiritation for this fine piece of writing, and after having reread the poem, I now have an even greater appreciation of it!  Your reply to me cracked me up, dear pot! lol Linda |
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turtle Senior Member
since 2009-01-23
Posts 548Harbor |
Hi Alison, I'm afraid I used too much of my research and not enough of what the message is meant to be. Hi Steavenr, Thank you for commenting. Yes, that is my favorite stanza as well. Hi Angel, Yep, vases are out too...lol The message intended here is simple really. It is just meant to suggest that Gods hand molds us all, from the dainty little tea cups to the big clumsy jugs, and as the title suggests, we are all the Potter's lot. turtle |
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