Molded

Sea, see, see through,

Through, though, throw

a gray lump to a wheel,

two gentle hands caress the mass,

wet clay splatters up my arms,

a galaxy of gray on pink skin


With care, shape is given,

any shape,

curvy, wide, flat, straight,

gay, queer, fat, skinny


with love, life is given

a body built

by a lover’s skill

With a craftsman's embrace


if I were made of clay,

would I be happy?

would I be able to shape my body

with the care it needs?

would it be my shape,

or the shape the world wants?


if I press a hand to my belly,

fat squishes between my fingers like damp clay.

when I pull it away,

it falls back into place,

moveable but unchangeable.


Clay is useful only after it’s burned

When it’s no longer malleable,

When it’s a cup to drink from,

a beautiful piece to admire,

a bowl to hold.


I’m not clay.

I’m art. 

Published in Allium, A Journal of Poetry & Prose, Spring 2023 Print Issue