Burl -
it grows on trees as a deformity;
a sign of stress,
such as insect or mold infestation.
Burl -
it is prized for its rare beauty;
artists who work with wood
know better than to judge
by its outward appearance.
A local journal featured an article about artisan
John Capanna, whose Creative Expressions in Wood
release the wood's natural beauty.
While working as a millwright, decades ago,
Capanna experienced an accident
that caused over 90% of his body
to be burned.
After surgeries and to work through
psychological and physical pain,
Capanna turned to woodworking.
In burl wood,
he found beauty,
brought out from deep within,
which he likens to
"digging into your own spirit."
We all have beauty -
beyond our scars,
our outward appearances,
our layers of pain and hurt.
Beyond all that deforms us
from reflecting what lies within -
complex, rare, exquisite beauty,
brought to the surface
by deep transformation,
through the process of
digging and smoothing,
of loving and trusting.
