Smelt

Burned and beaten

Iron, steel, worked as fitted

Whim and tally-ho and wield as though

Protectant shield, lance, awl, to span,

Minute flint spalls, aft and gone

Pour imperative, steam on! And build

Each spattering drop a testament

To ore of rock, to matter’s mind

To Mastery of glittery find, of stain

Of power, strain, sweat, Smithy, blow

Air to cool and shape and vent,

Air to chill, add blast torment to

Ready twisted, battered haft

Suffers to become as must

Core-self, real self, esteemed-high self.

Never to self-pity self, smooth, deft

As ever practiced, twisted, wicked blade.