Beauty & The Beast.

I often go to the forest, the woods, not only as a means of escape but to reconnect with the spiritual side of myself. To explore new grounds, breathe fresh air, and taste the freedom of a simple walk. Most people know that including some aspect of nature in their daily lives is pertinent, yet so few of us interact with the outdoors in the manor in which we should…myself included. So on a recent adventure to the great state of Georgia, I was surprised to find myself attracted to the man-made silos that stood on the grounds of our secret hide-a-way. Maybe it was the sun rays that struck against the rusting elements of the tall pillars, that caught my attention, or maybe it was the fact that although we still maintain the elements around these huge structures, we have abandoned them, let them fade into the background. And through these thoughts, another idea occurred to me, what about this scene that I am witnessing is so beautiful, and what is really the monster here?

Nature tends to mock everything mankind has ever achieved, not in an obvious way, but in a slow and tedious effort. Her tears wash over the skin of our creations, only to cause a chemical reaction that induces the breakdown of the anatomical structure…not at first, but over time. And time himself can be so cruel, to make it seem like we are but a second on his eternal watch, he mocks us more loudly than his counterpart. But still, Mother sends her organic, microbial creatures, after her tears, seen only by the eyes that look very closely. A tiny green tint is spotted upon the spokes of the wheels, a small army invading a space perceived as abandoned. Which is more beautiful? Who is the monster, nature for destroying the accomplishments of mankind or is it the accomplishments themselves that are so cruel, no longer are their purposes needed and yet they do not go away, they just stand in their place waiting.

The combination of industrial objects and nature are so breathtaking and awe inspiring we can only imagine the distorted relationship that they hold. Do we mock the sky by trying to reach its heights, or are we simply honoring is grandeur and splendor by emulating what we see? Is it beauty that I have been captivated by or is it the beast that lies below the appearances?

As I stumbled around the silos, I came across this particular piece of machinery. It stood for such a long time, loyal in it’s duty, but as you can see, it is losing the battle quicker than it’s brothers. It’s not even a captive, no chance of winning, it must just stand firm and endure the breakdown of its elements by forces much stronger than itself.

It seems so twisted and wrong, and yet I’ve never noticed til now.
And all I can do is admire the beauty of this beast.