THE ALCHEMIST

I

In one strike of a lightning
a spark came from the sky
and a little wind gave life to a big fire

Same came the spirit
that through a breath of God
received a gift of life

Clay came from the earth
to form the vessels everchanging
in its shapes and also functions

Same as the man

Water started in the womb of the earth
just like a babe brought out to the light of day
was the river in its fragile beginning

River thirsted for the sea
soft its water yet strong
not even the hardest rock could stop its humble flowing

Same as life
moving towards death
in its current its power

II

Man tamed the earth

Man shaped the earth

made soft by water
into a vessel

Man waited patiently
while air had its turn
to make soft earth firm in its new shape

Then man put the vessel into the fire
for like a body without a spirit
is the vessel that does not know the flame

III

How ruthless and burning
is the fire untamed
like a monster that devours all on its way

Yet how kindly and helpful
is the flame that is tamed
a good servant it has become to man

IV

Of all the creatures unter the heavens
only man was given power over the elements
for in God´s liking was he created to become

The Alchemist.

Written on October 31, 2010: three years, three months, three weeks, three days on the road. I am a potter´s apprentice in Mendoza, Argentina