Clay

• Laura Pham, Grade 12, Trinity Catholic College
• Poetry
• 2015

Excellence Award in the 'The Write Track 2015' competition

Form me, like a lump of clay
I will be what you make of me, whatever you say
Rub your delicate fingers gently together,
To invent my limbs, as slender as a feather
Next, the hardest job yet
I can feel your palms begin to sweat
Against the faceless blob of the face
Make it enticing, out of this place
The lips are too thin- now they’re too wide
You tell me, I will be exquisite and take pride
Drench me in lacquered paint, give me some mustard hair
And we are done! Am I enough to ensnare?
I am what you have made of me, is that not enough?
Place your eyes in mine, so I can see the bluff
You pound me back down, an orb of clay once more
Forgive me for not being who you are looking for