Heart and Hand

A new poem written in response to a conversation about autonomy at the end of life with Dr Ben Colburn, and a reflection on a potter.

You create

a real

and whole

object from your hand

In total

it stands

made by you

Autonomous and true

and near to me

His heart is the place

earthed

Touching a cold surface

he shapes it round in his hand

turn

Now ash

now down

now down and under

His objects stay

and his light remains

Never ash

never down and under