Mechanical Art

As haughty scrapes deface a fertile slate
with chisel marks precise yet shallow, done
in haste, relief becomes uncertain. One
dimension, regardless how ornate
will only scratch the surface, not the grain
beneath whose patterns bring a searching eye
new images designed to mystify,
revealing that which whispers in our brain.
When passion increases, the clamor grows
so loud it sometimes drowns out reason’s calm,
impatient strokes, while helping ease a qualm
can’t justify unneeded hammer blows.
Extracting truths residing in the stone
depends on seeing more than just our own.