In The Beginning

 I gathered

 separated

 cleaned

and dismantled with a plan.

Hubby found the perfect board in the barn behind our lumber stack.  It was a piece of Dad's old cattle salt trough.  I used a wire brush to remove the saw dust from years of exposure to salt while Hubby used his grinder to remove the brads on the old television legs.

The wood grain was beautiful.

A wire brush was used to clean all.  No paint but I can add that later if I want.  What is it?  I did all that just to have a place to throw my shoes when I come in muddy and dirty from outside.

I attached the old television legs for boot holders

The dirt stops here.

I just need to clean the footwear.

The Mag 143

Verdun, 1917 by Felix Vallotton

February through December

 The earth was torn apart 

As people perished

 By each other hands.

  We learned nothing except 

More efficient ways to kill

How to war is not a talent

The artist shows it well.

The Earth cries

With the destruction

And humanity cries

For ones who do not return.

I make a habit of not researching anything on the picture or the artist until I have written my piece.  I read no others so my take will be my own.  Somewhere in my outdated hard drive of a brain Verdun said war and the picture backed me up.  It is a good artist who can represent the destruction and desolation of war in the strokes on his canvas.

Visit Magpie Tales  with Ms Tess Kincaid.  Read many talented writers contributing to her fabulous blog and join in the challenge.

Thank you, Tess, for remembering.