cairn

I walk further into the wilderness

my gait is an exponential expansion my stride eats earth

the horizon is a wavering line of air and rock

these, my dalliances with wind and rain

I slip into the wild

I build my cairns of stone

those monuments of dust and grit that silently mention my heartbeat

the broadness of my palms

the echo that rests in the gaps of my soul

the space left for wind sail: we are propelled

there’s a breeze tangled in the rocks

mafic and porous

igneous and crystalline

river smoothed and tectonic sharp

I make my path

I am brought away and home again by humble beacons of tattered earth

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Cairns, markers, beacons, trails, piles of stones that lead the feet and mind into the wilderness….and sometimes, I suppose they bring us home again, though I feel lately that I move out more onto the land than ever before and I am further and further from the element of civilization. I’m in need of steady respite from the murmur and drone of city streets and the clack of high heels on concrete. I am pushed away. I set myself apart. I look up and see the stones leading me out into cumulus, tall grass whisper, the prickle of douglas fir and ponderosa pine. I feel even: tempered. I feel soul balanced. I see the fingerprint of the Creator. And then the stones lead me home. And these things remain. Until the rush becomes too thick again.

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I’ve been mulling over the concept of cairns for months now. These stacks of rocks built as landmarks are physical forms that I feel sort of…badgered by…and romanced by…so I’ve been slowly placing their shapes and their meaning into sterling (and copper) — building minimal little sculptures for ears and fingers to aid in the understanding of the ideas of: path, wilderness, the art of losing oneself and the art of finding oneself, discovery, quietude, space, homecoming. And to also bring to light the questions of: fate, destiny, purpose.

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A cairn is carefully balanced, or perfectly precarious, depending on how you want to see the matter. They are stark, undressed, unembellished, literally weathered pieces of earth set in a mound. They are roughly constructed, due to the nature of the material, and prone to dilapidation. Over time, they fall down and sometimes, they are built back up. They are a human invention and sometimes the only evidence you’ll see, when in the wilderness, of human existence outside of yourself. For this reason, when I go out, I am reminded, and I am brought back.

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A joy to make.

An elegant bauble for the hand and a stout reminder for the soul to

venture forth and venture home.

Time and time again.

In the shop later today!

Happy Monday, you fizzy little souls.

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Thanks so much to the ladies who gave these cairns homes.

You really rock the flock.