What is a pot?

What is a pot? 

A pot is not

Just any gray

Little bowl of clay

A pot is a pot

For daffodils

Or a porridge pot

Or a pot for pills

Cruets and goblets

Jars and jugs

Platters and plates

And trays and mugs

Shallow pots

Or dark and deep

Pot to give

And pots to keep

Touch them, hold them,

Pick them up

Batter bowl

Or sake cup

And feel the curve

Of earth and sky

Kitchen warm

Or springtime shy

A pot is mood

Of many hues

But most of all

A pot is to use

Cynthia Bringle, a well known North Carolina potter, includes this poem with her pottery.  I think it says it all.  I was fortunate to attend a workshop this spring where she was a presenter.  She is a delight on stage and off, genuine, with her feet firmly planted on the ground.

Julie Wiggins, Cynthia Bringle, Mark Skudlarek