Day 16—Saturday, March 22, 2025

RCPC Prophet Poet

Jeremiah 18:3-6

So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

My Guitar

A piece of wood you used to be.

Formless and solid,

seemingly ordinary,

ready to warm a person on a chilled night.

But your path ran head first

into a craftsman,

a skilled and meticulous worker

ready to turn you

into something extraordinary.

Over time,

you were sanded, and carved, and hollowed,

The smallest of details were

given the utmost care and you

came alive.

Pieces of steel and nickel,

brass and bronze and nylon,

were carefully laid upon you

and tuned to the notes of

the universe.

Someone placed you in my hands,

just 11 years of being nimble,

and said “put your fingers here, here and here.” “Now strum.”

and the world stopped moving.

Vibrations that turned to resonance

filled my ears, coursed through my

pained fingers, hands, arms, and

straight to the flesh beating in my chest.

-Autumn Quinn