"Mallet and Chisel" may be the best description of what I felt like my work or purpose was through my late twenties. (I find it really interesting to note the age of various people, what they say when and how their comments change over time.) More than building something, I had this feeling through those years that there was a lot of chipping away to be done. I also felt like that could be done artistically, with a passion for what I was doing. During this time, a bunch of people seemed very attracted to me but also confused when I was angry or critical or when I didn't know how to accept friendship, help, whatever. Well, if they didn't understand how I reacted based on feeling their own personal need for uncovering what drove them, what could I offer other than to help push them toward such a need? When they asked, I had nothing to add. I was working on something like understanding "Trust with Certainty".
Mallet and chisel
bring love to bear
blow after careful blow.
Who believes
their idea of beauty
enduring as stone?
I am not a critic;
I have nothing to add.
Those near me become accustomed
to the same sounds:
mallet striking chisel,
chisel striking stone.
Sometimes broken-off shards
hit the ground.
Two things between us,
one in each hand.
They say if I finish,
nothing will remain.
Who makes love with a hammer,
chipping pieces away?
This love breaks me down.
All my days
are this search for
what I once saw
in You.
They wonder why I miss
usual holiday celebrations.
Let them wonder.
What we do together
is not work to me.
Copyright 2007 Todd Mertz