FRANK COLSON Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 THE NIGHT OF THE FIRING 'Twas the night of the firing, and all through the shop, The kiln stood a-waiting, shelves filled to the top Pots had been glazed with a bright Copper Blue, Others with Celadon, 'Sang de Boeuf' too. Suddenly out on the road there appears A large propane truck with a big bunch of gears. The driver jumps out and hooks up my tank, The air fills with propane, which smelled kinda rank. Stars glitter brightly on this windless night, I candle the burners and tweak them just right. Visions of glazes dance in my head, Blue-greens and mustards, chocolate and red. I sleep a few hours, then turn up the flame. I sleep a bit more, than repeat the same. The kiln now is glowing the color of fire, I doze for a while, then turn it up higher. I'm way too excited to go back to sleep. I pace 'round the room, and I look in the peep. The hands of the clock move ever so slow, When finally - oh, FINALLY - Cone Five bends down low. Praise be to Kiln Gods: praise them on high! I see a meteor crossing the sky. I crank up the heat; flames dance in the flue. Would this fire be perfect, too good to be true? My dragon was spitting ribbons of flame. I opened the damper, those ribbons to tame. Reduction was happ'ning, reds were assured, More beautiful even than I had conjured! I open the studio, stared at the sky, And witnessed the Southern Cross rising on high. The night was now fading away to the sun, Cone Ten bending over, my firing was done. Inside that kiln would be treasures galore... This was one Christmas worth waiting for! Frank Colson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 Wow Frank what a great poem, you just made my broken scale woes disappear, you have a Happy Holiday. It also reminded me I need to get off the computer and go turn up my kiln. Thanks Denice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted December 23, 2010 Report Share Posted December 23, 2010 So now you are snuggled all warm in your bed As visions of perfect pots dance in your head Your kiln lies a dreaming, it's job is done too Your perfect pot is cooling, just waiting for you! Happy Christmas to All!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted December 24, 2010 Report Share Posted December 24, 2010 Nicely done. Thanks for posting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted December 24, 2010 Report Share Posted December 24, 2010 Welcome to CAD, Frank.Good to have you here Nice potters' poem, too. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potterstu Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Well said. Been there, done that! Now comes the hardest part: COOLING the Kiln. Enjoy your holidays. Stuart Keep potting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Evans Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Frank and Chris - thanks for the poems! Happy New Year and good firings to all, and to all a good night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluEyeDirt Posted January 2, 2011 Report Share Posted January 2, 2011 Well done, beautifully composed Frank! And Chris wonderful additions! Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays! and may the new year bring the bounty forth from our flames! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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