Foolish Endeavor

She is fire and smoke
Shifting expressions
I can’t hope to hold
On canvas or in stone

Compelled to hesitate again
Lost momentum
In reflection

Kept prisoner by this undertaking
Bound in chains by memory
That fades like fog in morning sun
Or is it fear that stays my hand?
Cowardice that blinds my eye
Blunts my tools and drowns my inner fire?

This urge, this need, this drive, this obsession
Pressure builds behind my eyes
The blankness stares defiant
Perfection that can’t be matched

Swing the steel to cut and carve
This foolish endeavor, bold with pride
Gouge away the drab façade
Reveal what lies beneath the stone

Compelled to hesitate again
Overcome by dread and doubt
My creation’s gone awry

Gripping the chisel so tight
Bleaching my knuckles to white
With hate I strike
Into the heart of the stone
Treacherous features disowned
I realize
The rage of the fury in me
A smashing incision too deep
Blunt surgery
Cracks through the marble explode
Shatter the cheek and the nose
Crumble to dust

I stumble numbly through the wreckage
Wondering what I’ve done
In my crimson rage
Sharp stones rend my hands to shreds
As I gather the bloody shards

Mortared by my tears and blood
The pieces fall into place
I weep with recognition
As I view my masterpiece at last

Swing the steel to cut and carve
This foolish endeavor, bold with pride
Gouge away the drab façade
Reveal what lies beneath the stone

I bring the hammer down again
And chip away the obvious
I cut, I carve, I search inside
Under the skin lies beauty’s bones