West Texas juniper and mesquite on black walnut - L 18" - 1994

Denizens of a Gentler World

This sculpture won "First Place" in it's class at the

International Wood Carver's Congress in 1994.

Notice that the upper portion of the sculpture is missing the rippled effect

that the rest of thewood has.  Chris designed an overhang in the environment 

to give the illusion of a shadow

on that section.

Denizen of a gentler world

gliding through the sea

on wings equipped for water,

why couldn't it be me?

For I am here in cold thin air,

within a raging storm,

and there you play, in fluid sways

safe and free from harm.

Within life's storms I've often yearned

for a place where peace is King

where ill tidings still may come,

but can no turmoil bring.

That place is found in Jesus

not around Him on the shore,

He's given faith to let us in

to dwell in Him ever more

yet my tendency's to surface

oft' ignore His precious grace

still His peace is there, as is the air

when we humbly seek His face.