Once of the earth.
Ore. Permeated in rock.
Fired. Polished.
Thoughtful planning.
Metallurgy equal to that of the gods.
Meticulous craftsmanship.
The hides of bulls, scars cut out.
Embroidery: gold, silver thread.
Hands disciplined to precision.
Veneer: Koa wood. Red gum tree. Giant Redwood.
Olive wood. Walnut. Cherry. Eucalyptus.
Only from the root ball. Thin as paper.
Man. The maker. Ubermensch.
What they do for others to ride
in elegance and comfort.
The world turning to a cinder.
—
Michael Romary was a university librarian at Indiana University where he obtained his professional degree, and at The Ohio State University and the University of Maryland (UMBC). He has published in Boulevard, Poetry South, Laurel, Spillway, Atlanta Review, Main Street Rag, and other journals. He lives in Grand Marais, Michigan, three blocks from Lake Superior and Raleigh, North Carolina.
