Monday, May 17, 2010

Demolition

I spent three days last week disassembling two workbenches in the basement room that was my father's shop. The frames, made of rough 2 x 6 and 2 x 10 boards left over from building the house 60 years ago, were held together by hundreds of nails some nearly the size of railroad spikes. Demolition required a hammer and crow bar applied with muscle and ingenuity.

There is something satisfying about banging and prying something apart. When the 21 nails holding the top wouldn't yield, I just hit the legs harder splintering them into pieces. I felt like I was engaged in some kind of primal demolition ritual.

The satisfaction derived from the exercise made me realize - the weight of those hefty benches can't just be measured on a scale. The weight leaned on my soul and now with the help of a hammer and crow bar it is gone.

1 comment:

  1. I am smiling at the picture in my imagination of ML the Hammer Smashing terror of Portland. I also find it hugely satisfying to clean up venues after a big party.

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