Throwing a Dunt

First, you must stretch out

Positioning your body comfortably

On your knees, butt—even lying on your stomach

Clearing your mind while

Slowly kneading,

Forearms flexing, straining under pressure

Shoulders tensing, releasing in cathartic movements

Body warmth radiating through fingertips

Palms of the hand massaging

Teasing the sides apart

Working from bottom to top

Sticky white substance drying on the hands

Using spit to lubricate

Pinching firmly between two fingers,

Rubbing the index finger against the thumb

Circular motions

Sliding up and down

Inserting one finger, then two, sinking a hole

Gently pulling them toward yourself

Squeezing upward

Matching the pace and speed

Wetting and smoothing

Curling fingers around the neck

Pressing in the sides

Arching against the lips

Until finally a gush of water releases

the wet clay from the spinning wheel

and the vase is ready for the drying rack.