Clay Man

Clay Man


Clay man
Takes shape
Moulding himself
To fit
The expectations
Of plastic
Plasticine people

Each rendition 
More insubstantial
Keenly kneading
More lies
Than life
Into this
Faceless figure

And when 
He needs 
Become real
Clay man
Remains shapeless
Having no
Substance left
With which
To work


Words: ©2017LCR

Video: Mummenschanz (Swiss Mime Troupe) from the Muppet Show (1976)
Submitted to: The Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Tuesday Platform: The Dance!

Comments

  1. the world appears full of clay men ....i personally will take just one real man...bkm

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  2. Makes me think. I went through all the stages in my mind. Also thinking about my son who is a potter.

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    Replies
    1. That's cool. I always wanted to learn pottery!

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  3. This makes me think of the golem in old Jewish tales, modelled of clay.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it would be very much like that! Thank you.

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  4. I feel the clay man is what we are all though to be... molding ourselves to the wishes of Plasticine people.. adopt or die...

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    Replies
    1. Adapt or perish. In that sense it's good to be moldable.

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  5. Ah! This makes me feel a certain pity for this faceless figure — the expectations can bend anyone into insubstantial submission. Love the alliteration of "plastic/Plasticine people" and the idea of "More lies/Than life".

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    Replies
    1. Yes, who is the faceless man, when he isn't trying to be what everyone else wants him to be.

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  6. ...trying to become something that the "empty" people want one to be. Wisdom begins when we chuck that out the window!

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  7. I have more pity for the clay man than anything. How hollow parts of him must feel when he uses his clay to fill out a shape he isn't meant for.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. It would make him a sympathetic character in that way.

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