My poem today is inspired by the work of a very talented Finn, Oiva Toikka, a consummate artist in glass. He was appointed in1963 as lead designer at the Nuutajarvi Glassworks [Finland's oldest glassworks, founded in 1793]. To begin with he designed ranges of elegant, everyday glassware and that portfolio alone would have guaranteed him a lasting reputation. Toikka however, had a vision. A keen ornithologist, he yearned to replicate in glass the beauty of the world of birds...and so in 1979 he began to design the range of stunningly beautiful hand-blown glass birds that have become collectors' items and given him international status as a glass artist. He still designs glass birds today, but his designs - which all use only locally-sourced materials - are now hand-blown by a dedicated team of his skilled disciples. I'm fortunate to have a couple of his creations and they are wonderful artefacts, things of beauty that truly are a joy to behold and be held.
This 'recipe' of a poem was written sitting at my Dell Inspiron....
Birds Of Fire
Step one:
Sand, soda, lime and fire,
elements melt in the kiln -
radiant heart of the hot shop -
coalesce with a burning desire
to create a red-hot glass mass.
Step two:
A skilled hand grabs a pipe,
lifts a gather of the molten glow
and sets to work -
twist, twirl, blow
all in a controlled flow -
a small miracle is taking place,
the birth of another bird of fire.
Step three:
Step back,
let it cool,
stand and admire...
out of sight!
Smooth form, vibrant colours,
art embellishing nature,
a perfect poem in glass and light.
Thanks for reading - have a good week.
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