He took an iron from among the pack
Spitting sparks
Left at the back
Thrown in with others
He had lost all track
Though almost seared
By the forge's heat
He plunged it in the water deep
Across the coals
He hauled back
And Quenched again
Until the heart was black
Chiselled off the ruined part
Hammered square
And set apart
To the forge returned
Then cooled once more
To temper
Strengthen
And restore
He knows
When cherry red it glows
It is time
To fashion the piece he chose
And with tongs
Takes mine
Holds strong.
Now laid across
The anvil's face
The hammer applied
To the offered place
With precise control
The iron is drawn
A thing of strength
And beauty
Born
While the iron is hot,
'Strike!'
They say
There may not come another day.
But give each piece
It's proper time
And treat with skill
This life of mine
A heart that once
Was cold and raw
Then left to blister by testing, sore
Will not respond,
Until made sure
That these "blows of love"
Are really yours.
Colindres , Cantabria
March 2023.
