Assay

The Assay

In every assay, a question lies—
Not just in test tube or in tray,
But in the spark when effort tries
To turn the grey into daylight.

The chemist weighs with careful hand,
The baker tests the risen dough,
The knitter drops a stitch, then strands
Recovery starts to show.

For what we seek may not be gold,
But courage in the small endeavour—
Each failed attempt, a truth untold:
The assay is to keep on trying forever.