or "Where do Magma Puppies Come From??!?"

"Twas the night of the firing and all through the shop
The kiln stood a-waiting, shelves filled to the top
Some pots were glazed with Matte Copper Blue,
Doggies of Celadon, and Craftsman Green, too!

Suddenly out on the road there appeared
A large propane truck with a big bunch of gears
The driver jumped out and hooked up my tank,
The air filled with propane - which smelled kinda rank.

The stars glittered brightly on this windless night
I candled the burners, then tweak them just right
Visions of melting glazes dance in my head,
Blue- greens and mustards, chocolate and deep dark red.

I sleep a few hours, then turned up the flame.
I sleep a bit more, then repeated the same.
The kiln now is glowing the orange color of fire
I doze for a while, then turn the flames higher.

I’m way too excited to go back to potter’s sleep.
so I pace 'round the room … I peep in the peep
The hands of passive clocks move ever so slow,
When finally - oh, FINALLY - Cone five bends down low.

Just who are Kiln Gods and spirit friends with timeless clay transforming dirt into art, enduring even today?Representing life as the metaphor of clay changes, Round the earth … round the wheel … round the fire blazes.

Then a meteor crossed night’s metaphorical sky, Constellations … miracles of imagination passing by
I crank up the heat, flames dance in the flue
Would this firing be perfect, too good to be true?

Magma Puppy was a-glowing with ribbons like flames,

On the potter’s wheel I sat and contemplated the day.
Reduction would happen, brown-reds were assured,
Today, more beautiful doggies than I had ever conjured!

I open the studio side door, and stared at the sky Witnessed Colorado’s moon as night faded by,Cone Six gave a bow and firing shut off adjacent, Then Cooling and waiting, with impish impatience.

Magma Puppies are dachshunds, Cleopatra's pets! Egyptian origin, Cubist, and they can come in sets. Inside that Skutt kiln were Magma Puppies galore,

Good luck they'll be a-bringing ... worth waiting for!

                                By Joyce Anttila -- Castle Rock Pottery

                                      Adapted from FRANK COLSON, From Clayart