Thought for the Day

It is with fire that blacksmiths iron subdue
Unto fair form, the image of their thought:
Nor without fire hath any artist wrought
Gold to its utmost purity of hue.
Nay, nor the unmatched phoenix lives anew,
Unless she burn.

--Michelangelo Buonarotti
Sonnet 59

Michelangelo is well known as a sculptor, artist
and architect; less well so as a poet. However, he
wrote a large number of sonnets, including many
(and madrigals as well) to his long-time friend Vittoria
Colonna. His poetry often had a theme related to sculpture
or painting.

One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire. --John Foster