Larry Heath’s intricate metal sculptures inspired several poems for September’s Art of Poetry reading. Here is one by Art of Poetry assistant coordinator, Kelly DeMaegd of Sherrill’s Ford, NC.
Larry Heath, Orange Moon, metal, Hickory Museum of Art Collection, Museum purchase, 2012.14.7
Kelly DeMaegd
SHAPING THE UNIVERSE
Inspired by Larry Heath’s Orange Moon
In the beginning the creator
assembles his tools: pliers, hammer,
his own callused hands. Grunts an immense
sheet of tin onto his workbench,
begins to sketch. A genius of design,
all elements are related,
interdependent. Deft and sure,
the creator imagines order,
meaning, knows that if a connection
is broken, a tree burns, hills erode,
rivers flood, cattle drown, children starve.
Once the plan is complete, he cuts,
snips, folds until the universe
emerges, elaborate, fragile,
whimsical. Surveying his work,
the creator brushes dust to the ground,
bows his head, whispers a blessing,
bestows dominion. And it was so.
Art of Poetry at the Hickory Museum of Art 
How fortunate I am to have such talented and creative friends! Thanks Kelly. Great poem!
Kelly, thank you for putting words to Dads art. I so wish he could have read yours and others poetry which was written because he sculpted tin out of his mere thoughts.
You remind us of how everything is interelated by just being part of the universe. And apparently from the way we’ve been tending it, we need reminding! Well done.
I like the way the poem makes the creation of the sculpture into art, with poetry. Well done.
Thank you, John! An artist reflecting on art is a great compliment!
As always for Kelly, I think, magnificent. The poem gives a true feeling of contentment and satisfaction all the way to the end.
Thank you, Brenda! I always appreciate your kind comments.
Beautiful and elegant. Fantastic poem, Kelly.
Thank you, Patricia! I tried to write a poem that reflected how a beautiful piece of art moved me.