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The Romance of Carpentry

by Mickey 

Posted: 11 August 2019
Word Count: 159


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The sweet resin-y smell of the wood shavings
curling wave-like in a thin wooden surf
that breaks over the cold steel chip plate
of the ruthlessly efficient smoothing plane.
 
That smell of biscuits from the sawdust
dislodged by the brass-backed tenon saw
as it pursues its relentless and alternating
journey to-and-fro across the grain.
 
The excitement and wonder at the precision
of the drill bit eating its way into the wood
leaving the waste in its wake
like small and twisted yellow worm casts.
 
The joy as a mortise accepts its tenon
like a maiden on her wedding night.
Or the pleasure at beholding
the mirror satin smoothness of the grain
exposed by each pass through the bench saw
 
Experiencing these sensory pleasures
attracts the romantic to this noble trade.
The delight in such observancies
transcends the practical world of DIY
and transports us to the realm of metaphysics.
 
(or it might be the fumes from the PVA glue)






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Comments by other Members



James Graham at 20:31 on 12 August 2019  Report this post
Hello Mike – Afer I told you your last poem wasn’t much good, you come up with something miles better. Not only that, it’s on a subject that a lot of people wouldn’t think was a fit subject for poetry. Well, I’ve always said that any subject can be poetic – depends what you do with it.
 
Recently I seem to have responded to some WW poems with nothing but praise. No bones to pick. This is no exception. There are so many clever, imaginative ideas and I can only quote a few of my favourites.
 
curling wave-like in a thin wooden surf
 
Visualising it, I can see it is like that. The contrast with the ‘cold steel chip plate’ couldn’t be more distinctive. Like waves breaking on hard rocks.
 
That smell of biscuits from the sawdust
 
This surprised me, but I believe you. One of several surprises in the poem.
 
leaving the waste in its wake
like small and twisted yellow worm casts.
 
A clever simile. I’ve never worked with carpentry power tools, but I can see that quite clearly. And finally, one that struck me as a little far-fetched at first, until I thought, ‘After all, it’s a joke. So that’s fair enough’.
 
The joy as a mortise accepts its tenon
like a maiden on her wedding night.
 
I like your final punch line, bringing us back down to reality. But the more serious part saying ‘The delight in such observancies/ transcends the practical world of DIY’ is still there, not at all out of place, and a wise conclusion to draw from the experience. (N.B. Spelling: it should be 'observances'. My only complaint.)
 
You don’t have to revise ths poem, Mike. Leave it as it is.
 
James.

V`yonne at 18:32 on 16 August 2019  Report this post
I love those descriptions (and I have done a little woodwork) :) as a special needs teacher!!

I think you could afford to chip[ a bit away and make the stanzas all 4 line'

Joy as a mortise accepts its tenon
like a maiden on her wedding night.
Pleasure beholding the mirror satin smoothness of
the grain exposed by each pass through the bench saw

maybe? I love that mortise and tenon metaphor.

These sensory pleasures attract the romantic to this noble trade.
Delight in such observances transcends the practical world of D I Y
and transports us to the realm of metaphysics.
(Or it might be the fumes from the PVA glue)
 

FelixBenson at 07:46 on 20 August 2019  Report this post
Love the images in this, Mickey, especially that opening image of the fisrt two verses

The sweet resin-y smell of the wood shavings
curling wave-like in a thin wooden surf
that breaks over the cold steel chip plate


and
 

That smell of biscuits from the sawdust

You couldn't resist a final joke lest we take your poem too seriously too - and it's a good joke too !

I really enjoyed this one.


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