Scallop Workers 1 (extract)

(For Kevin, Andrea, Frank, Ludmilla)

Two men's knives into shells,
Click clack...each outer case -
Click clack...flung into floor-sack,
And each scallop skimmed over
For the trim two women complete...

Back to click, clack...a rhythm
Of preparation, skim
And trim, ready speed,
Each worker an intensity
Of knowledge in the skill.

All hands race, flurry,
Across shell, scallop, air,
Where an artist is present today
Wanting to reveal the work,
Her synchronised pace -
Proven on sketch-paper - shows
Everyone industrial, not apart...