"The Beginning Woodcarver"

Ah, the beginning woodcarver sits at her stool.
The chisels are shiny and sharp, and the steel is cool.
It won't be long and the woodcarver will begin.
She looks at drawings of fowl, fish, and fin.

The knives are sharpened as sharp as razor edges.
Well, it's almost that sharp our fledgling alleges.
Our beginner knows a knife won't cut if it is dull.
It might be dangerous; hmm, she begins to mull.

Well, let the action begin on this stump of wood.
All that's needed is to cut away all that she should.
What's left will be the bird, the dog, or the fish.
Who needs lessons when one only needs to wish?

It seemed simple to chisel a carving chip-by-chip,
Like falling off a log, or shooting from the hip.
She'd seen lumberjacks do that, and cowgirls too.
Anyone can carve a cat, a dog, even a kangaroo 


Let's return to our carver who's most extraordinary.
The work of this artist is not going to be ordinary.
She traces the fish on the block of basswood.
She's off to the races; she knows she's good.

She goes to the saw and cuts out the blank.
This is so easy; it's like money in the bank.
Now she begins to chip and chip some more.
The chips fall and scatter on the floor.

It isn't long, and she sees she's over her head.
The lines disappeared and she faces with dread
The thought of not knowing or whether to quit!
Stop isn't in her dictionary; she will not submit.

Maybe this can be a smaller fish she thinks.
Maybe this is a curse, maybe it is a jinks.
But it goes without saying she is not superstitious.
She knows she's good, maybe a bit too expeditious.


So our beginner begins again a bit more slowly.
She's not so confident and she's a bit more lowly.
Maybe there's more to this carving than meets the eye.
She ponders that thought and gives it a second try.

The fish is now a June bug and much smaller in size.
She looks at the wood with fear and a tear in her eyes.
What is warm, wet and red, and represents life?
Yep, it's blood from using a dull chisel and knife.

Now, she knows that carving takes time to learn,
That being a good carver is something to earn.
She finally learns her lesson and begins to smile.
Sharp tools and workshops really are worthwhile.

                                By Bob Kaehr