The Woodcarver

After a discussion last week many of us stayed around and talked about D/s and what it meant to us. The subject of Masters came up as it always does, and we bantered around what makes a good Master. Of course there were innumerable traits, and many opinions. This story was given to me by one of the Masters in the group. I liked and asked who wrote it. No one knew.... but here it is and thank you who ever wrote it.

The woodcarver
        Often, we hear the analogy of a Master as a creator of sorts, painting a masterpiece with the blank canvas of a slave who lays her life in his hands. Or we might hear of a Master as a potter, sculpting, molding the lump of clay into the shape he envisions. Many parallels can be drawn from those analogies to a story of personal growth under someone else's watchful eye- if you have not read the "Teacup", I highly recommend it. But, for some reason, those analogies never quite fit for me.
        The reason being, is that we are not all blank canvases, or identical lumps of clay. I can think of only a few people who would want to take the time to strip down someone so deeply that there are no distinguishing personality traits or features, and then create on top of a blank canvas. Rather, I see it more similar to a man who carves wood.

        The woodcarver has a vision. He determines what kind of wood it would take to accomplish his goal, along with other factors such as time, tools, and level of interest committed to making the vision a reality. He examines the selection of wood available, checking the history of the wood- has it been processed or seasoned? Is it damaged from prior use, and if so, can that be repaired? Is the piece strong enough to last once it is put to use? He looks at the grain, and imagines how it will look as a finished product. He fingers the knots carefully, determining if he will work around those or remove them, and whether it is worth the time he puts into it. Some areas will need more stripping, polishing, a steady hand carving to bring out the beauty, while other areas are fine as they are. Sometimes, he finds a piece of wood that has such personality that it doesn't fit his original vision, but he holds onto it just the same to see if he can find a use for it.
        As he works with the wood, sometimes the vision might alter slightly as he sees a change in the grain that was unexpected, or work to improve small flaws that he detects through his familiar handling of the wood. Some areas, he will strip quickly to get to remove the layers he does not want, yet in others, he knows that pressing too hard might break the wood in half. He works with what he has, patient but dedicated to his vision- the gradual shaping and polishing bringing just as much pleasure as the finished product will.

        My Master- when you took me in your hands, you played up the assets you liked, retooled the flaws you felt I had. You left the individual strengths that made me who I was and brought out the fresh untouched wood that lay hidden under all the outer rings. You discovered a beauty I never knew existed within me, my splintered edges smoothed by your handling. I hope that I will always remain a 'work in progress' that you take pleasure in honing. Thank you, Master.