Fingered Finesse

Courtesy of Philip Chircop. SJ
It’s all about discipleship
I say aloud
eating away the silence
now a vibrating membrane of memory
cracked open by words
tumbling in open space.

The moist mud is magical
in the potter’s tireless hands
shaping and re-shaping me
into a work of art.

Entering the convulsions of time
I peer at the patched pieces
re-worked patiently
so no fragments sit discarded
on open shelves of unsettled innocence.

A perpetual thirst
draws me to an oasis
as I fasten tightly on to
covenant love and kindness
in a trance of hope.

Divine, wet fingers mold me slowly
waiting for faith to grow in radiating light
ready to be sent to
a broken world caught between jagged spaces.

I wait for the malaise to disappear
as a flash of fear flies by
now caught in cascading grace
still pliable in the potter’s embrace..


"Just like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, House of Israel."
(Jeremiah 18:6)

Viola Athaide, a student of Theology, is actively involved in parish life, leading Bible courses, the Prayer Group, and the Ministry with Maturing Adults.

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17 Comments
  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 01:12h, 15 September Reply

    Thank you Viola!

  • Sylvia Lee
    Posted at 08:48h, 15 September Reply

    Thank you Viola for the reminder through your beautiful poem.

    No matter when and where, we are the clay in the potter’s hands … in the kind and loving hands of our Lord. For this, we pray.

    God bless you Viola.

  • Carol von Zuben
    Posted at 15:36h, 15 September Reply

    Viola, you have given us a wonderful opportunity to just sit and “be” with your beautiful poem . Thank you so much.

  • Ana Maria Rodriguez
    Posted at 16:37h, 15 September Reply

    God will always want more from us and give more to us….. just our trust, faith and love is needed for that “Clay in the potter’s hand!!!!!” Remain being a unique piece of art….. Thank you Viola to touch our hearts

  • maria susanto
    Posted at 19:11h, 15 September Reply

    thank you for sharing your poem Viola.

  • Fay Vaz
    Posted at 20:23h, 15 September Reply

    God be with you and may the Holy Spirit always inspire you to share your talents with us all. Thank you

    So vividly described, Reading your Poem, I realize how each day I’m being moulded in the loving hands of Jesus, day in and day out, when I can spend quiet time letting him work on me.

  • Ralph Pais
    Posted at 20:51h, 15 September Reply

    Very beautifully written Viola.

  • Dominicus Susilo
    Posted at 05:39h, 16 September Reply

    Yes, indeed, we are being sharped and formed into something valuable through His Merciful hands.

  • Lorraine Majcen
    Posted at 09:23h, 21 November Reply

    Thank you Viola! As I ponder and reflect on the words in this poem, I am reminded of how precious I am in Gods eyes. How he painstakingly molds me into his image and likeness, if I allow him to. What a beautiful image!

  • Karen Arthurs
    Posted at 09:47h, 21 November Reply

    “still pliable in the potters hands”, it is never too late, if we believe in the hope of each new day.
    Very touching reflection, Viola.

  • Suzanne Renaud
    Posted at 10:27h, 21 November Reply

    Beautiful Viola!

  • Christine Domingo
    Posted at 14:05h, 22 November Reply

    Thank you, Viola. Beautiful!

  • Silvia Girod
    Posted at 20:59h, 22 November Reply

    What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing

  • Jacqui
    Posted at 07:04h, 23 November Reply

    Beautiful. Mold me, O Lord, in your image.

  • Tonis
    Posted at 12:33h, 23 November Reply

    Beautiful, thank you for sharing, what a lovely Poem, may God bless you and your talents, many blessings to you and your loved ones, tonis.

    A perpetual thirst
    draws me to an oasis
    as I fasten tightly on to
    covenant love and kindness
    in a trance of hope.

  • Roy Fanthome
    Posted at 05:00h, 25 November Reply

    Hallelujah. Praise the Lord

  • Edlyn de Souza
    Posted at 22:34h, 26 November Reply

    As always, INSPIRING. Thanks Viola. God Bless.

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