Bladesmith Alchemy Poem by Ray Lucero

He toils over fire fueled by coke
Forging a fine Damascus blade
Coaxes, cajoles, at last invokes
A sacred fire totem…unafraid

The Bladesmith knows;

Salamanders can pass thru fire
Unburnt/unharmed by such heat
A tempered blade its one desire
Lest, this fine sword be incomplete

Thru blade salamander does pass
Pursued by fiery flames from hell
Thru blinding smoke of sulfur gas
Mission done, he bids “farewell”

Revealed here the secret of 'Damascus Steel'
Perfected by one tiny amphibian's ordeal

(Inspired by Howlin Dervish)


ROTMS