The idea of using slabs of beautiful wood as vertical art rather than coffee tables is inspired by my exposure to work of celebrated world-class wood sculptors such as Benoit Averly, Tai Lake and Rick Crawford.  Conceived as a display of inspirational quotes, this piece morphed into original poetry in a late-night dream.  Call it god-inspired if that floats your boat.

The resulting piece integrates poetic art with wood working, stained glass and metal work.  The spit form of the wood, with title and poem separated was a solution to eliminating a flaw in the wood, but also metaphorically takes the form of a boat sailing out to sea with its allusions the ending of the poem.  In a sense, the entire work is a meditation on life as we look out from our apex, perhaps with a nod to Tolkien and the elven parting from the grey havens.

Two species of walnut were used to form the base and the upright slab.  The reverse side is intimately carved offering both an immersive walk around experience and an alternate display option for the patron.  The stained-glass work further plays on the poetic theme while adding light as a design element to the integrated work.  Finally, the rusted steel joinery adds an element of strength while preserving simplicity with its spare form of two perforations joining together the wooden upright elements.