A Body of Heavenly Origin
Building an orb in the orb field
Out of the rubble of broken concrete staves a form has taken place—symbolic, abstract and meaningful. I often pass these iconic landmarks dotting the rural landscape.
Old silos mark spots of years of toil. They date a period of agriculture now mostly gone. There were makers like Harder, with their red slabs alternating at the top; Martin and Marietta with their classic weathervanes; and Unadilla's model, with green replacing the red.
The one still standing near us has provided nesting for osprey for three years now. They come on the 1st of April, raise two young, leave in September, fly over the Caribbean and return each year completing a cycle carried on for generations.
Other silos now crumble for it is far easier to bunk and move feed where larger machines can maneuver it. I struggle with their disappearance, like I did when electricity-automated lighthouses rendered their keepers obsolete. So I create orbs from their broken parts—spherical shaped objects of heavily origin, by definition. Changing a shape but hopefully reigniting the old self reliance, confidence and personal dedication since lost.
Building them, I saw my friendships heighten, realizing how much everyone wants to help. And I found a good exercise, improving my muscles after surgery and motivating me out of winter’s depression.
Now my spheres take shape and I realize that while searching for their parts, I found these other things I did not expect.