"An Ode of Thanks for the Common Ranks"

© 1995 D. Burgdorf     (Return to "Poetry")

I did a carving.  In fact, you know, I've carved for quite a spell.
Folk who know little about such things thought them pretty swell.
They said to me, "You're pretty good, you really should compete".
Just the thought of doing that gave this old boy cold feet.

But if they're right, I started to think, I could win a prize
So I entered a contest and quickly learned how judges scrutinize.
They take a piece, examine it close from every single direction.
Their motivation, I would guess— they're looking for perfection.

I wasn't a winner, I'll admit, but I've no ax to grind.
Some carvers need to show and win, it's settled in their mind.
And I won't speak with unkind words for their work I do admire
But when I use my carving tools it's from a different desire.

No pressure to be exactly right, I carve just to relax.
I set my pace and have some fun, not pushing to the max.
When carvings piled high and wide I gave a few away,
(Some good, some bad, some in-between) I still do to this day.

Satisfaction for me (and payment in full) is a smile of appreciation
Or the laugh of a child at some little thing I carved for their recreation.
I'm not a loner, don't judge me wrong, I enjoy a carver's meet.
And seminars too.  It's just that I would rather not compete.

So because I am most comfortable with the pleasure that it brings
I choose to carve for those who know little about such things.