Polishing The Stone

Polishing the Stone

We might'nt have defined it,

But it emerged in words

As magic designed it, -

Saying what we feel.

If we write it down to salvage it,

A process starts to shape and make it real.

All the while it's churning

Uncov'ring its reveal,

Transcending finite limits, earning

Truly magic form!

We probe and polish, push and pull,

To get it right, to let its beauty ring.

Else we could ne'er define

The finer, deeper rhythmic peal

That sets it, lets it dance and sing our truth,

At last, disarm.

______© Nellieanna H. Hay

Spontaneous when I write or do other creative projects, in that initial state, the results seem just fine as they are. Yet when they are to be presented as 'finished' poems, articles, or hubs, I find they need polish through editing, coordinating, 'fashioning', - not contrivance; instead, it's simply enhancing their inmost truth and beauty.

It is similar to techniques used in the taking of Nature's geological wonders, - rocks, minerals and crystals, - to probe their intrinsic character by subjection to intense physical processes, as nature had done with them so far, so as to take them into a next manifestation of themselves as lovely smooth stones, semi-precious gems or real gems, as the character of the material of which they're made allows.

Once stones are polished, they await their 'settings', be it in items of jewelry, room furnishings, or in various displays or museums.

So it is with polishing the semi-raw creative work of the poet, writer, artist, musician, sculptor, - even the builder, scientist or mathematician! Ultimately we refine the work we've created to a polish to be shared. Within the process, It may evolve, though it must neither fall short of or excel its own inner core of excellence, beauty and truth, at risk of becoming something else less authentic; so, less unique and valuable.

What media is this, asks she; -

What muse, what maze, what mind?

Does "master" dwell within the page

To liven every line?

Is poet taking holiday

From suffering and pain?

Or is it truth that always was

Deep inspiration's gain?

But what about the anguish?

Correcting any word

Requires complete redoing.

OH, pain such loss incurred!

A little change of media

Large difference can make

In what old muse reveals

Of which I may partake.

Inscrutable but beautiful,

Those other phases, verses,

Become kaleidoscope profound!

In prism, still rehearses.

______© Nellieanna H. Hay

Whenever I'm at odds with them,

Be they rhymes or beasts,

My best-planned feasts

Resist their tasks,

And search for other planes.

No nourishment emerges,

No pleasure is received.

It's put off-sync; - no harmony

With Universe or sine,

Out of kilter, chaos reigns.

Then comes that melody,

Ah - centered; - what I need!

Complete, integrity,

Fulfilled I flow and know

Of where I am to be.

Circumference may be the way

A center is achieved.

But more it is a 'play' of fools

For kings to be empowered

And verities believed.

I hardly missed a step

While out of time and space.

I know not how I simply knew

To have returned to find

The now, the whence, the place.

______© Nellieanna H. Hay

♦♦ ~ Historically - no, pre-historically, - the carving of stones for tools and adornment was widespread among human tribes. Later, in the Middle Ages, grinding wheels were developed for improved shaping and polishing, which have led to polished rocks becoming collectibles, decorator items and even 'pet rocks'!

♦♦ ~ Polished pebbles and slabs are used in the creation of pieces of useable art, such as tables, benches and lamps. Tumbling rocks in polishing sand and other invasive materials grinds their surfaces to smoothness and gloss. These polished rocks, depending on their sizes, can be made into articles of jewelry or other art forms.

♦♦ ~ Terms for these are 'rocks' or 'stones', used interchangeably. Especially beautiful and valued stones are often referred to as 'gems' or 'gemstones'. Scientifically, however, these categories are unrecognized, but are merely common trade names to distinguish them from the more ordinary stones. In some instances, the naturally occurring crystal forms are so much more valued that they seem to comprise a class in themselves and require little processing to emphasize their innate beauty. Of course, some such precious crystal stones are expertly 'cut' along their own cleavage lines, to enhance their appeal and beauty, which, as in most areas, is in the eye of the beholder!

♦♦ ~ There are also claims and beliefs that rocks and crystals hold magical healing powers, many such claims coming down from ancient times.

That amber bead

No accident

When swallowed

In that night.

Nor incidence of chance,

The books and songs

Which beckoned me

To flight.

Impelled, compelled,

It had to be;

By truth infused,

My muse refused to stay.

Unknown, unsung

Too long a time,

Burst out the dim

To fly on light of day.

The scraps and pieces lie about,

At times they fit or not.

There is no urgent reason

To soon expose the plot.

I like a little mystery,

A game of hide and seek.

Don't know too much too soon;

Just steal a little peek.

If sometimes I see

Too little or too much,

Yet what is real remains,

Distilled of life I dare to touch.

If lived before is good,

If never more to be,

If only now is mine to live,

Thank God that I can see.

______© Nellieanna H. Hay

♦♦ ~ Of course, there are other kinds of ancient displays of use of rocks for artistic expression, as well as by polishing and shaping them into objects for many uses. Near my ranch country, there are amazing petrographs, as well as remarkable canyon and cave wall pictographs, for example.

But, after all, we find ourselves here on this planet made of rock, out of which we, ourselves, are formed and where we have been and continue to be 'polished' and adapted for living here, along with the Earth's other creatures and life forms! We've well learned to use our personal and external resources to create beautiful things from raw materials, in order to supply our needs and to fulfill our purposes. The possibilities seem nearly inexhaustible.

May we learn to always use them for the better things, needs and purposes, starting once more in 2014!