Post by Koz on Dec 23, 2015 10:28:27 GMT -6
Hey Gang,
Just wanted to put this out there for all the new folks on the Forum who haven't seen it yet.
I wrote this 5 years ago and posted it as my 1000th post on the old Forum.
And after all, it is a Holiday Classic, so why not bust it out once a year when the season is right, right? Nuthin' wrong with that, right?
It's a day early I realize, but heck we've been listening to Christmas carols since before Thanksgiving, so what could possibly go wrong now?
Enjoy everyone, and have a great holiday, no matter how you celebrate, what you believe in, or what kind of fancy glaze you smear all over some burnt mud to get real hot again to try to make it even more pretty.
This is for all of you and your families from myself and all of us here at The Wizard of Clay Pottery in Bristol, NY. It's still 60 degrees here, so no skiing for a while, and I'm dreaming of a green, green Christmas....
Koz
'Twas The Night Before Crystals...
‘Twas the night before crystals, and all through the lair
Not a spirit is stirring, not even Sir Snair.
The dragon is stuffed, her shelves full of ware,
In hopes that zinc crystals will soon fill the air.
These vases were crafted with care by my hands;
Ten years of effort and unfolding of plans.
The cones have been set. As I close down the lid,
I sneak a last look at the work that I did.
While deep in my head there remains such a clatter,
I must trust the machine to manipulate matter.
Away to the forest that’s deep in my mind,
I’ve got two days to wait for great wonders to find.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gives the luster of mid-day to objects below.
I’ve taken my eggs; put them all in their nest,
But first on this night my fire Dragon must rest.
With a spin of the globe, the daylight comes quick.
I return to the lair to wake Dragon Six.
More rapid than eagles her numbers they climb --
It’s clear to me now she’s been up for some time.
“Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!”
My eight fiery beasts, I could name them to call,
But they are just machines with no soul at all.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
The heat in her belly is climbing so high.
So it’s now that I turn to a simple device.
I check all the cones, not just once -- twice and thrice.
In the belly of the beast it is now I do spy,
The glowing heat warming my tinted glass eye.
The programmer’s pace of the relays still click;
I can count on this dragon, much like old Saint Nick.
I’ve released her chain, and she’s taking her time --
A magnificent sight, just watching her climb!
Now into the heat, so deeply I pry;
Dragons don’t really know how high they should fly.
She is all dressed in heat, encircled with grace,
Her skin is all tarnished, but tight and in place.
With this bundle of vessels entrusted to her,
She’s seemingly wise, as if offering myrrh.
Her eyes how they twinkle, her dimples so merry,
Her cheeks are like roses, she glows like a cherry.
Her deepest of truths are soon to be told.
It is I who now listen, and watch the cones fold.
The heat of this flame she holds tight in her teeth,
It is I who must tame and command her, “Release!”
On strong stable wings she now makes her descent,
Back down to the earth for this wondrous event.
Having taken the jump, it’s through thoughts now I sift.
I trust I’ll be caught, and then see GodsGreat Gift.
With a wink of her eye, her reins now I’ll take,
For she knows it is I the decision must make.
She speaks not a word, but goes straight to her work,
Many hours slow cooling, with nary a quirk.
Now resting in slumber till morning she wakes;
I peek in her belly. My heart it does quake.
She springs with such splendor, what mortals can’t do!
By searching your soul, you’ll see this is true.
And the spirits proclaim at this glorious sight,
“Many crystals for all, and to all a delight!”
© Jamie Kozlowski 2010
