Potter

we the potter
the collective potter
have much yet to learn
of the manner to mould our clay.

as we grow and sculpt our shape keeps distorting
away from that ideal
that we know we can be.

we keep pressing into the bumps that swell on the surface
from points of friction and conflict.
that is the old and tried technique
of fixing our bloats
our unseemly shape
by pushing it in
and cutting it away
of gliding over our problems
in this human world that waves
between pain, joy, fear, effort, hope
hatred, kindness, and confusion.

we keep crushing and cutting the lumps away
by reflex
thinking it helps
or thinking it delays
the "really difficult" part
for later
for someone else.

but
there is no one else.
it is just us.
it is just this.
tis our collective weave that is suffering
tis our shared pot that is threatening
to blow up and break apart
once more.

tis not needed.
the break is not needed.
we can learn if we ponder
penetrate into what is inside
where these bulges come from,
realize the dynamics
and acknowledge the subtleties
of the chemical reactions within us
the unintentional leaking of volatile gas
heated in the zeal of differentiated particles
as they repel and push off from one another
protruding up the surface into unseemly lumps
as we continue to grow
into each other.

our reactive mechanical bodges
pushing into the lumps
cutting and fragmenting
come from those frustrated, impatient,
unwilling to accept
that mere mechanics cannot solve the problem
anymore

our clay has grown past
the point where pushing and cutting are enough.
the mechanical must be transcended
if we are to fix it
if we are to heal.

the mechanics of the physical
must be acknowledged as the observable effects
of the chemistry of emotions.

we must reach the point where
the mere arithmetic of adding, shifting, and cutting mass
is well known, yet informed
by sincere insight into our own clay
and superseded

by the subtler synthetic power
of love.

the recognition

in the other

of oneself.