Peter

Peter slowly drew out of the wood
The figure he sensed existed within
He had seen it as soon as he handled the block
As soon as he listened to the drive of the song
On the boom box on the shelf
Behind wise Mr. Chelmsford down at his market
A blues-inspired version of The American Anthem
Not Francis Scott Key
But Woody Guthrie
Being performed by a backwater Memphis house band
Slow and steady rather than fast and upbeat
Closer to the experience of people of color
More irony injected in a way that the author
Would have loved
His masterpiece being originally penned
As much in protest as in honor
Which to him meant it was truly reflective
Of the Great American Character

Peter sensed all this when he touched the wood
After coming home from Mr. Chelmford's
Couldn't be stopped as he reached for his tools
Started carving away shards and splinters
To reveal to recognize to liberate
The eagle living within
To uncage
The head and shoulders
The personality
The pride the valour the verve
The uncompromising adherence to standards
That was just waiting to be born
Hatched from the rectangle of Christ's wood
Its head cocked slightly to the left
As if listening trying to understand
Teaching a lesson scolding
Cajoling the young to join the flock
The army of the artisans of the talon
The flame of vision
Global in breadth
As if seen from the mountaintop.

Peter slowly drew out of the wood
The figure he sensed existed within
He had seen it as soon as he handled the block
As soon as he listened to the drive of the song
On the boom box on the shelf
Behind wise Mr. Chelmsford down at his market


For Sketches
Denis J. Kelly
April 4, 2012