The Soldier and the Potter


For Gleb and Katya
Ah, you make a tale of the 21st Century
as Ivan tries to obliterate your country
some buildings of beauty
some buildings pedestrian
housing, just ordinary
crushed like an old clay jug
Wei-Wei the Chinese potter
claimed notoriety
smashing two ancient ones
shocking everyone
to his recognition
the two of you
in the oldest trades
warrior, a ceramicist
defender and creator
when you have driven
those obeying orders of the Kremel
fall away from unhindered
the new thoughts given
create a fire in your kiln
that works both clay and glaze
to an unseen sheen
that defends and trys out
what you work
you will go together
to create new life, new work
that tells the world
that the old invader
cannot have Ukraine
Kendall Merriam, Home, October 20, 2022
Listening to silence.