I thought of you today
for the first time
in a very long while.
I held a hammer in my hand,
listening to it sing
as you taught me to
all those years ago.
I remembered the lessons,
the hours of practice,
repeated attempts to emulate
your amazing abilities.
So many times you chastised,
thrusting me aside
to demonstrate once again.
Time after countless time
you would reiterate
technique meant nothing
without patience and finesse.
I watched as you sculpted,
your tools dancing, shaping,
changing the surfaces upon which
they made your music.
I recalled the day you held the chisel
while I swung the sledge;
the innumerable times
you made me promise
not to smash your hands.
Do you remember?
I was so focused,
so intent on that
singular point of contact,
I swung the hammer back
and connected …
with your head.
I was much younger then.
I have grown, and you …
you have probably forgotten
far more than I will ever know
about manipulating metal.

I thought of you today
and I thought it possible …

I might have made you proud.

Memories Of A Mentor Contributed by Nazmythian on Wednesday, 8th November 2006 @ 12:21:18 PM in AEST Topic: dedicatedpoems I thought of you today for the first time in a very long while. I held a hammer in my hand, listening to it sing as you taught me to all those years ago. I remembered the lessons, the hours of practice, repeated attempts to emulate your amazing abilities. So many times you chastised, thrusting me aside to demonstrate once again. Time after countless time you would reiterate technique meant nothing without patience and finesse. I watched as you sculpted, your tools dancing, shaping, changing the surfaces upon which they made your music. I recalled the day you held the chisel while I swung the sledge; the innumerable times you made me promise not to smash your hands. Do you remember? I was so focused, so intent on that singular point of contact, I swung the hammer back and connected … with your head. I was much younger then. I have grown, and you … you have probably forgotten far more than I will ever know about manipulating metal. I thought of you today and I thought it possible … I might have made you proud. ( author's note: of the many influences and individuals that have shaped my life, Sherman Hardesty, I count you as one of the largest contributors. I doubt I ever said it enough then, and likely never could hope to now ... but thank you, for everything you taught me, thank you. ) ~ Nazmythian ~ Copyright © Nazmythian ... [ 2006-11-08 12:21:18] (Date/Time posted on site) Advertisments: Previous Posted Poem         | |         Next Posted Poem