NAIL
Why did you pound me into wood, which sent
shockwaves through me? I am held
here captive between splinters and grain.
WOOD
Why did you pierce me with unfeeling nail?
A nail may be removed, but I’ll stay full
of empty holes, forever scarred.
FABRIC
Already worn and frayed, now we are folded,
now pinned down. How can you make lovely
some scraps and a hodge-podge of patterns?
PAINTS
Why blend a few of us past recognition
and not the others, spreading all of us whole-
sale, thin and far apart?
STRING
Just when I can endure no longer, he
turns the screw again,
ROD
‘til I am ready
to break under the strain. I bend still more.
STRING AND ROD TOGETHER
How long, oh Lord, must we maintain this?
CHILD OF THE CRAFTSMAN
For your many sufferings, I weep;
for your perseverance, I rejoice;
and for your growth, my glory, I remake.
You are held and you are full,
you are lovely, you are whole,
equipped to serve a greater purpose.
ALL MATERIALS TOGETHER
We neither see nor hear, yet we believe
our labors will attain completion. Let
us praise the One who makes us new.