Oh, I could see the whole thing. The use of utilitarian language was very effective. Task, task, oops! For me, it's breaking off a pencil tip - especially one freshly sharpened.
I think it was Alice Walker who told the story of the trees talking to one another. As a woodsman approached to chop down one, the trees said of the axe, "The handle is one of us."
Nicely done. I'm tempted to say that it's quite a neat metaphor for writer's block. Too often I feel like I've broken whatever tool i need to get at my thoughts.
Your analogy is inspired - I've never thought of the similarities between a smithy and a poet before. Certainly the effort required to bang out something of meaning and worth does raise the sweat and tire the arm.
I've experienced the ax flying off the handle, but never the hammer head splitting against the anvil - in the physical realm anyway. Now in the metaphysical realm, this poem could take me to other places.
I couldn't stop wondering what happened to the workpiece. Anyway not too tragic. Don't know a smith who doesn't have a multitude of hammers hanging on the wall. But it does hurt when you loose your favorite.
drat! now what?
ReplyDeleteIt is a very good anvil.
ReplyDeletedang...you hitting it pretty hard to break the hammer eh? what are you trying to shape?
ReplyDeleteARGH! Hate it when I'm in the flow of a project and a tool gives out. Happens. Guess that's when one centers, breathes, begins again...
ReplyDeleteOuch! This poem actually hurts to read! That means it is very, very good!
ReplyDeleteOh, I could see the whole thing. The use of utilitarian language was very effective. Task, task, oops! For me, it's breaking off a pencil tip - especially one freshly sharpened.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Alice Walker who told the story of the trees talking to one another. As a woodsman approached to chop down one, the trees said of the axe, "The handle is one of us."
Well done, babe! Amy
All that work for naught!
ReplyDeleteand what do you make of the broken pieces?
ReplyDeleteI like the sounds here, sharp and crashing ~
ReplyDeleteNicely done. I'm tempted to say that it's quite a neat metaphor for writer's block. Too often I feel like I've broken whatever tool i need to get at my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSo vividly written! This is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYour analogy is inspired - I've never thought of the similarities between a smithy and a poet before. Certainly the effort required to bang out something of meaning and worth does raise the sweat and tire the arm.
ReplyDeleteI've experienced the ax flying off the handle, but never the hammer head splitting against the anvil - in the physical realm anyway. Now in the metaphysical realm, this poem could take me to other places.
ReplyDeleteAnd who would write a poem about an anvil? Good job!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't stop wondering what happened to the workpiece. Anyway not too tragic. Don't know a smith who doesn't have a multitude of hammers hanging on the wall. But it does hurt when you loose your favorite.
ReplyDeleteThis conjured many literal and symbolic meanings...excellent write, once again.
ReplyDelete