Work Text:
we are born as blocks of stone,
pristine, and smooth, undamaged
life chips away at us.
children laughing at you on a playground become a chisel,
you are shaped by what you suffer,
what you suffer breaks you.
not fully; just pieces.
flecks.
small chunks of rock.
but if cruelty can be a chisel, kindness can be a mallet.
a smile from a stranger can tap you into shape,
you are changed by the people you love.
we are born as blocks of stone,
pristine, and smooth, undamaged.
life shapes us,
until you can see our forms emerge from rock.