I have just watched a man
hand roasting nori, sheets
of dried seaweed
over a small grill that he set
between his knees
a film of this man,
speaking to the interviewer
while his hand slapped the seaweed just so on the grill
each movement practiced
and precise
and truly masterful
and I did not doubt for a second
that it would be better than the nori I have eaten
different in some subtle totality
masterful
*
once I drew one hundred and thirty-four straight lines
in one sitting, at just the precise place in the page
to give the notebook a more perfect ruling
and when I had done it
I felt wonderful
*
can every craft be mastered?
can humans be understood in the way
that sushi can be?
I think perhaps.
everything is different. There are variations to be understood
adapted to, realized, highlighted or emphasized,
grappled with and loved
in every occupation or pursuit
some require greater attention to detail
some demand more flexibility –
anyhow,
it’s something to hope for