In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

56 The Laborer First it whirs like magic so he can’t believe a chunk of oak once quiet skyhigh lost in the woods is now this hurry that spins blurry before him at the lathe, this rattlingfaster -thanbreathing - orthinking -lathe that is always quick as dream this technology, quiet as a horse- fly sighing, spins while someone with a chisel powering into it leans and little light sparks of oak arc in the air or else he only just touches the thing like flying touches the wing and a bowl comes into view or rounds and coves of a chandelier 57 or spokes to a Windsor chair, some loveliness you have to dream before it’s there like coolness of the night air above the trees or the name of your bride, so he works at the lathe and the lathe works on him in the careful way labor clarifies. It is the why. It is the growl and purl of making, almost though never breaking, the burl and limb, work’s master hymn that shapes him. ...

Share