My hands are swift and gentle

As I shape you into who I want you to be

You writhe and squirm under my hands

Don't you understand that this is for you?

Eventually, I let you go

I want you to have a choice

And you run away from me

Naked, half-formed,

You didn't even let me put you in the kiln

I watch you run around my shop

Your world is so small that you forget about me

You think I can't see

As you hurt yourself with the tools and sharp objects

I didn't have the chance to put away

You find yourself scarred

And you weep

And I weep

Finally, you cry out to me

And I walk over

And pick you up

I take you back to the table

As you plead for my forgiveness

I've already forgiven you

You no longer squirm

As I begin to shape you again

I warn you about the fires of the kiln

You say you will be fine

I set you inside

And you begin to burn

It breaks my heart to see you hurt

But it brings me joy to see you follow through

This time,

You do not run

You patiently wait for me to take you out

And when I do

You are free again to roam

Those sharp tools can no longer hurt you

You are stronger than them now

And you choose to stay with me

Oh, what joy it brings me!