Sometimes heart or head leads you by the hand
on hill walks
To the sudden sparkle of water seen through trees
metallic glint of shot silk and silver

To the serene surface of one-of-three dams
and the ducks held tight by the water’s skin
pulling at its seam
pleating its calm
dragging the thin top layer of warmth
with full-feathered bodies
out into the cold centre
rounded by red mud
recording the tread
of all who passed

To the twisting track of twisting trees
that corkscrew their way out of density
obeying some unseen centrifugal force
in their winding dance

To the forest’s feathery parts
where bough becomes branch becomes twig
entwined becomes hair-line wisp
and finally cobweb
to spin a spindly tree
uncertain as cloud
of its edges

To the steady tramp of well-worn path
pounding its wide-shouldered road
to the beat of thought or worry
to stand at the summit
with wind only as your friend

Led to tree to marvel at its markings
read its messages
interpret signs bitten into its side
by scribbly ant or age

Sometimes it is the hill itself
that leads you along the way it has laid out for you
and you must follow.

Sarah Rice

On the Mountain (poetry on hand-painted porcelain vessels) is Sarah’s collaborative work with ceramicist Patsy Hely, which was exhibited at Craft ACT in 2011.

On the Mountain (poetry on hand-painted porcelain vessels).

On the Mountain (poetry on hand-painted porcelain vessels).

Sarah and Patsy with On the Mountain (poetry on hand-painted porcelain vessels) at Craft ACT.