Dangerous Talent

HARVEY DRAKE, 1820

 

Others take six months

to learn to center

a mound on the wheel,

but in just two weeks,

Dave gets the feel

of the clay.

He pins his elbows

to his sides,

then cups his hands

to hold the clay.

Knuckle on the outside,

he brings up the walls

of a gallon jar

with the lip turned out

just right.

Then I show him

how to roll thick handles

and mount them

on the sides.

 

Dave is smiling

like I gave him gold.

And I wonder,

Is there danger in teaching

this slave boy so much?

Will he forget his place?