Sara J. Mikkelson
This poem uses a personal reflection of delicate work on fossils to illustrate points about work, success, and life in general. It’s written from the author’s experience working on fossil field jackets – essentially big chunks of rock brought back from a dig site (read more field jackets here). Specifically, it’s about two field jackets of shale from western Kansas – you can read all about the Kansas digs here. Enjoy!
Chip, chip, chip one tiny bit at a time
The gray, dusty work inside
On frail, layered rock sublime
Is like the dry, cloudy day just outside.
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Flakes fly when the chisel hits on the rock,
Look for fossils just below
Be so careful not to knock
Out of place a treasure that’s yet unknown.
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Some work done with power tool buzz and grind,
Some with frigid hands all numb
Dry from winter air unkind
Yet the goal of noble work overcomes
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The work is insipid yet very grand
Small, elusive fish scales shine
Pale chalk powders root strands*
But found no great fossil as rock’s refined
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The end and beginning both were well known
And mystery lay between
But now empty rock is shown
With no more big fossils but those foreseen
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Was the slow, cold labor all done in vain?
Were great fossils the sole aim?
Nay! The journey is all gain
It was a rare lesson to all who came
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When our work is finished at end of day
Not task success or talent,
But those faithful who obey
That the greatest Master sees most gallant
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Copyright Sara J. Bruegel, October 2015
*strands of plant roots, coated in a powdery chalk are often found between the layers of Kansas shale
