Only made when the earth grows Dark but not black as it shows Sharp, yet it can be fractured Glassy volcanic lacquers
Prime for warring and toolings Earthen-seared tears found cooling My ring was cut from its shade It is, as I am, remade
July 2024 Sydney Eager
What I Love about “Obsidian”
This poem came to me as a gift. In an episode of the MorningPoems Podcast, I offered a poet’s prompt: “If your childhood experience is a crystal, what would it be?”
And upon waking, I see “Obsidian.”
Obsidian is a gorgeous gemstone one uses to feel protected, but the gem has a cutting quality here in this poem. The first stanza describes obsidian as “dark but not black” and “sharp yet…fractured,” which contrasts the hue and feel of the crystal. Obsidian also serves as a metaphor for childhood.
I love the duality in this poem. We see more of the duality—as it neatly ties to the words “toolings” and “cooling” in the second stanza.
I wonder how much hardness creates beauty.
As dualistic as it is, it’s triumphant when the poet ends with, “It is, as I am, remade.”
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More poetry by Sydney can be found on her page on Substack.