A passion surges to the fingertips,

of the chisel wielder.

Hacking erratically at the stone,

he is desperate to hone

the elusive allure of inspiration;

the influence that

ensnares his mind,

and blends his days and nights to infinity.

Though he labors incessantly,

fueled by elements that arouse and dissuade,

he is no closer to the cusp

of the enlightened state to which he journeys.        

His ardor,

though noble,

is also his curse.

A slave to his art,

he is forced to endure

the miserable delight,

that epitomizes his craft.