Inside the Kiln
“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.” ― Terry Pratchett, Diggers
Nan stares at her pottery in progress
as if it were a foreign object. Another student
asks why she appears distracted and sullen.
"Too much going on," she answers, rather than saying my father died.
"The classmate answers, "Have you tried
melatonin? Meditation? Acupuncture?"
Nan answers, "I consider the sourceof all suggestions."
The critic leaves to finish some work at the kiln.
Another student touches
Nan's shoulder. She pauses then says, "The kiln’s fire finishes our creations. Too bad that same flame can mean incinerate, or char, or..." The student speaks softer,
"Yesterday I met a girl who said she was your sister. She told me something. I have known a similar
too-much-going-on. Can we simplify it together?"
terrypetersen 