Baking


By Jonathan Hunter-Kilmer

into the kiln

if clay feels pain

would human flesh

endure in vain

a process that

builds strength

and glazes

proof from

harm

and eye amaqzes

smooth

exterior not rough

gently held against cheek

sloughed

of all

extyraneous

on the wheel

where You make us

finers probing

each now groove

rounded, bent

as steady move

palms that guide and shape

throw out

strips what I can do without

hollow

or solid within

You decide

as pattened skin

glows

with fire

that it keeps

fresh from baking

treasure

spark from outside leaps

suffer nothing, nothing grow

formed by You

with You togo

hand in hand within Your grasp

held in flames

Your fingers clasp

Heaven will heal wounds

but flame

makes the earth begin the game

of the Lover

and the bride

everything else swept aside

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