The man's hands tell
a story forged hot from
fired steel yielding to
rhythmic hammer returns
ringing and bouncing
off a hundred year old
five hundred pound
anvil from Leeds
The man's hands tell
a story gouged bloody
and calloused from
pounding steel flat
cutting and curling its
tapered ends resisting
his iron will
and vision working
backward from seeing
it entire and whole
without blueprints
or worded plans
The man's hands tell
a story about bringing
his grandmother's double
drainboard porcelain sink home
to embellish an outdoor kitchen
where tables heavy
with flavors grace gatherings
of laughter and love
ending with communion
around dishrags
and suds and towels
buffing the day's end
to a sacred shine
The man's hands tell
a story about making a
rack to hold crusted hamón -
a fifteen pound shank- cured
for a year in salt - the Basque
equivalent of Italian prosciutto -
a gift from a friend more
treasured than gold
holding state regally
on the kitchen counter
sliced thin for holiday
celebrations lasting long
from Thanksgiving
till after Christmas
The man's hands tell
a story about reproducing
a Basque sheepherder's wagon -
every working part buttery
smooth functioning
with minimal fuss -
a home compacted
bright with colors
luring overnighters
to sleep under stars
The man's hands tell
a story about an old copper
distiller brought from
the Motherland and an apple
press made for cider harvest
and a BBQ barrel grill
embossed with homage
to homes with heart
The man's hands tell
a story about making a
pizza oven made ornate
with hinges and slides and legs -
and doors weighted to swing open
and shut without effort
The man's hands tell
a story about beloved
sons and grandchildren -
legacy furniture
heritage knives
twisted rockers
and eagle sculptures
silhouetting canyon sunsets
inside open gates where a cougar
keeps watch and antlers lift praise
detailed against the sky
This man gave me a generous afternoon. Rarely does one have the opportunity to see art made for art's sake, as a way of life. I think the Star Breather is pleased with a man using his hands - surrounding the ones he loves with the work of his hands.
Below are more pictures of his work and the textures he surrounds himself with. Patina matters. I was taken with the details that probably would be overlooked or camouflaged - details he couldn't leave out. It made for whimsical surprises. My eyes felt like they had been to a banquet and been utterly satiated and delighted with beauty.
