he raises the mallet carefully,
eyes fixed on the join,
listening for the sound
that tells him it is true.

no shortcut is taken,
no angle ignored,
for the work will stand
only if it is honest.

wood meets wood,
breath meets patience,
and the line slowly
finds its place.

“直” speaks of straightness —
not rigid,
but faithful to what must align.

watercolor captures
the quiet discipline of the hands,
where sincerity
becomes form.

perhaps to live straight
is not to rush forward,
but to adjust carefully,
again and again.