If sculpting is your art, O craftsman, Shape my face, my body, and my soul with your hand.

If sculpting is your art, O craftsman,
Shape my face, my body, and my soul with your hand.

Turn water into glass for me, if you can,
Or cleanse this mirror of its rust and sand.

To weave my veil, mix the hues of a rainbow,
And carve colours from flowers and butterflies aglow.

You claim your hands hold many crowned heads,
Then shape a melody from wood, let music be spread.

On a blank page, you’ve drawn trees and bloom,
If you write poetry, give it taste and room.

As you’ve chiselled the sun with precision and care,
Take your tools and create brilliance to share.

I will build a world vast and free,
Not confined by a grave, a cage, or misery.

It’s my craft to make sweetness and honey abound,
But you, craft the sting, and let its pain resound.

You, a master of mud’s enchantments divine,
Why stunned by the beauty of a woman so fine?

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Summary of the Poem

The poem is a conversation between a speaker, who represents creativity and imagination, and a skilled craftsman or sculptor. The speaker challenges the sculptor to push the boundaries of his art and create something extraordinary, not just in physical form but also in essence and meaning. The poem reflects themes of artistry, creativity, and the limitless potential of human imagination.

The speaker begins by acknowledging the sculptor’s expertise, referring to his ability to shape faces, bodies, and other physical forms. However, she challenges him to go beyond the ordinary and craft something deeper—something that reflects the soul and essence of a person. This sets the tone for the poem, where the sculptor’s skills are tested against the speaker’s high expectations.

Next, the speaker introduces the idea of transformation. She asks the sculptor to turn water into glass, symbolising the ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. She also asks him to cleanse a rusted mirror, a metaphor for removing flaws and imperfections to reveal clarity and beauty. These lines highlight the importance of refinement and perfection in art.

The speaker then moves to the realm of colour and vibrancy. She challenges the sculptor to create her veil using the hues of a rainbow and the softness of flowers and butterflies. This represents the idea that true art is not just about technical skill but also about blending elements of nature and imagination to create something that captivates and inspires.

The sculptor’s claim of being able to control his craft is then put to a test. The speaker asks him to create music, not just sculptures, by shaping melodies out of wood. This request symbolises the need for art that resonates with the soul and transcends physical boundaries. Additionally, she advises him to add taste and uniqueness to his poetry, urging him to go beyond mere words and create something meaningful and memorable.

As the poem progresses, the speaker broadens her challenge. She reminds the sculptor of his past achievements, like crafting the sun with precision and care. She encourages him to rise to such greatness again, using his tools to create brilliance and perfection that mirrors the wonders of the universe.

Toward the end, the speaker asserts her own creative power. She declares that while the sculptor may shape forms and ideas, she creates vast, open worlds free from limitations such as graves, cages, or restrictions. Her art is about life, freedom, and sweetness, represented by honey, while she invites the sculptor to craft its contrast—the sting of a bee. This contrast symbolises the balance of beauty and pain that defines all great art.

The poem concludes with a striking observation. Despite the sculptor’s immense skill and familiarity with the enchantments of his craft, he remains awestruck by the beauty of a woman. This final line emphasises the infinite complexity and charm of creation, suggesting that some aspects of beauty and creativity remain beyond the reach of even the most talented artists.

In essence, the poem explores the limitless potential of human creativity, urging artists to think beyond the material and create works that resonate deeply, blending imagination, beauty, and meaning. It serves as a reminder that true artistry lies not only in skill but also in the ability to inspire and evoke emotion.