West Texas Juniper           Height 28"             photo by Mel Schockner

Question Of Denial

The basic shape of this sculpture is a question mark, hence the connection with the title and the poem. This is the main trunk of a tree that was about 500 years old when it died. Most likely the tree had been dead for many decades, as its root (the pointed end of the sculpture) was barely hanging onto the cliff  that it grew out of. West Texas juniper seldom burls. Unlike most trees that burl in the root area, this species burls up in the trunk and branches. The width of the base of this sculpture is made possible by one of these magnificent burls.

Although truth is self evident,
it is still our choice to see,
regardless of the way I feel,
there is still reality.
 

When the crowd has chosen one way
and decided to deny
the absolutes of scripture,
then they're following a lie.
 

Truth is hard it cannot yield
to any man's demand,
where lies will take the shape you want,
just like shifting sand.

Since we prefer to shape our world
with our own two hands,
we end up living in a lie,
castles made of sand.
 

But storms in life are certain
and there is the judgment day,
denial becomes difficult
when your world has washed away.
 

The truth is God's a fortress
His faithfulness a shield,
His truth won't bend, but will defend
those who to it yield.

J Christopher White