Photo: thestar.com
The Smithy
The fizz and sputter of the raked coals,
brazier aglow
and the glisten of sweat as he
worked the bellows
and rained down successive blows,
hammering like thunder
such new creations
as metal yielded like
a sacrifice on the anvil
as if forged in the very heat
of the beginning of time,
the warmth of the fire
filling the air with ash
and all the smells of
grit and iron,
this place of force and might
is yet an intricate design
of all that could be.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
parallax 
Wonderful 👏
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Thank you 🙂
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One of my loves blackdmiths
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Ah, well, there you go. Thank you.
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I wanted to be one for a while
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That would be really interesting work.
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A forceful, fiery poem! 🙂
(You would think that he would at least be wearing safety glasses.)
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Yes, I had that reaction, some I’ve seen here don’t wear glasses, I think it’s part of that ‘manly’ image 🙂 many thanks Tom.
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I love the last three lines … much like life.
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Indeed, and nice someone noticed the connect, thank you Dawn.
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You’re very welcome. I recall writing something along the same lines about jewellery making in one of my old, posts. I love the furnace metaphor …the moulding into something beautiful.
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Gosh I love it. I wanna practive to write more poetry like this.
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Yes, keep going, it does take practice 🙂
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Very nicely described, Paul!
One should learn this old craft again. Best also gunmaking too.;.) Best wishes,Michael
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Yes, I really admire it.
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the smithy forging life ,,, nice one!
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I would love to have a go, but they’re rare now, mostly horseshoes and gates.
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I’ve seen some exquisite creations at our Channon markets, but his stuff sells out quickly!
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I’m not surprised, it is usually valued.
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it is a dying art as you say
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One of Lyn’s nephews is a smith, but it is mostly focussed on horse work. We have a local who does a bit of fancy work, but again mostly the horse business is where their bread and butter is.
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yes as there are so few now I’d imagine they have massive business!
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These ones do, and few wanting to learn.
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This poem brings in all of the senses (except the smell of the sweaty blacksmith). Very emotive poem on a profession we don’t think about so much anymore. Lovely job.
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Yes, a very forgotten art by most, so creative, many thanks. I’ll do something about a sweaty worker one day:)
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Amazing piece and love your imagery and your reflections on a strenuous craft that produces such interesting designs.
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Thank you Eugenia, I really admire smiths, they really are creative.
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Yes they are and you’re welcome!
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They are creative and work under such conditions…
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They really do, awe is my response.
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So much heat to endure…
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Yes, and the fine pin marks of skin burn too. With the heat they dehydrate rapidly.
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I can almost hear the blacksmith with his pounding. Nice one, Paul.
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Thank you for sharing that, it was clearly evocative.
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My pleasure, Paul. 🙂
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Your words always transport me to another place that you are conjuring
>
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Thank you for the lovely compliment.
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