Pen and Ink on Paper
Begin with soot and ash of burnt bones,
add molten tar, mix in clay and salt.
Steep, stir by night fire, then cool and age.
Portion into tiny vessels and plug with cork.
Then wait. Think the thoughts over and over.
Forget all except the most divine.
Journey to the place of great birds and ask for grace.
They will shed feathers, blessing your quest.
Find the perfect quill, the one shaped just so.
Don't fret; you'll know it when you see it.
Whittle the point so fine, so minuscule.
Leave no room for the devil to dance there.
Pulverize tree bark and lace with sinew of cotton.
Add water and a little chalk to thicken,
bleach the pulp, then comb and stretch.
Strain out unwanted particles and debris,
pat and press, then wait for moisture to wick.
Ponder the gifts of nature, of the spirit.
The fullness of the nib, black liquid collects there,
lingering before it releases onto thirsty cotton papyrus,
its crevices tunnel the substrate awaiting edification.
The process, slow and metered like music,
allows ideas to flow, dots on a line in space on time.
Heart feeling, mark making, ancient answers for new questions.
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Author's Note
Originally published by Red Ochre Press in Red Ochre LiT
August 2011
I really enjoyed reading this approach to the act of writing. Veneration of the raw material infused with the abiding hope for inspiration. This was a nice experience for me.
Thank you, Carol.
Love this.
Thanks, Stephen.
Yes, something so self-assured and respectful about this. "They will shed feathers, blessing your quest."*
Ahh,Gary, I appreciate you reading and commenting.
"Whittle the point so fine, so minuscule. /Leave no room for the devil to dance there."
Really nice.
Thank you, Bill.
Beautiful!
Well done!
Thank you bunches, Wendy.
Darryl, thank you so much.
Back atchya:
Mystical. Captures the ephemeral, evasive wisps of the craft.
Beginning with the "soot and ash of burnt bones," gives an appealingly spectral color to a painstaking, careful process. *
At the end of the day, I release any captured wisps, it's only sporting.
Love the way this reads like a song. Perfect, symmetrical form, rhythm and cadence. Excellent idea to capitalize the first letter of each stanza. really adds power to the delivery. Big FAVE! *
Nice
This is beautiful, moving, and damn interesting!
Thanks Michael and Ray (believe I sent both of you emails)
And Nonnie, I appreciate your comment. I'll take words like those every single time!
Nice work - really like the imagery.
Marcelle,thanks for stopping by.
crevices tunnel the substrate awaiting edification
Samuel, Thank you for reading.