IRON

how gold is tested,

through the hottest flame,

when all you've built turns to ash,

the scorners, the tongue on fire, the betrayers who's cowardly hearts have no beat, have no life,

when the valleys keep getting longer, darker,

they despised you, yet hate has no foot hold upon you,

thrown away, forgotten, mocked,

when all is turned to ash, when the ship is on rocks,

then, and many times over,

you bend low, and with broken tools....build again,

as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,

for the deep valleys, the forgotten seas, and the wounded spirit,

for that loyal heart bleeds on, unlike those who abandoned when flame was white hot,

then patience will prove trials to be gold.

photographs/ text:  Joshua Zirschky

bib: Rudyard Kipling

Psalmist.

IRON

how gold is tested,

through the hottest flame,

when all you've built turns to ash,

the scorners, the tongue on fire, the betrayers who's cowardly hearts have no beat, have no life,

when the valleys keep getting longer, darker,

they despised you, yet hate has no foot hold upon you,

thrown away, forgotten, mocked,

when all is turned to ash, when the ship is on rocks,

then, and many times over,

you bend low, and with broken tools....build again,

as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,

for the deep valleys, the forgotten seas, and the wounded spirit,

for that loyal heart bleeds on, unlike those who abandoned when flame was white hot,

then patience will prove trials to be gold.

photographs/ text:  Joshua Zirschky

bib: Rudyard Kipling

Psalmist.

IRON

how gold is tested,

through the hottest flame,

when all you've built turns to ash,

the scorners, the tongue on fire, the betrayers who's cowardly hearts have no beat, have no life,

when the valleys keep getting longer, darker,

they despised you, yet hate has no foot hold upon you,

thrown away, forgotten, mocked,

when all is turned to ash, when the ship is on rocks,

then, and many times over,

you bend low, and with broken tools....build again,

as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,

for the deep valleys, the forgotten seas, and the wounded spirit,

for that loyal heart bleeds on, unlike those who abandoned when flame was white hot,

then patience will prove trials to be gold.

photographs/ text:  Joshua Zirschky

bib: Rudyard Kipling

Psalmist.

IRON

how gold is tested,

through the hottest flame,

when all you've built turns to ash,

the scorners, the tongue on fire, the betrayers who's cowardly hearts have no beat, have no life,

when the valleys keep getting longer, darker,

they despised you, yet hate has no foot hold upon you,

thrown away, forgotten, mocked,

when all is turned to ash, when the ship is on rocks,

then, and many times over,

you bend low, and with broken tools....build again,

as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,

for the deep valleys, the forgotten seas, and the wounded spirit,

for that loyal heart bleeds on, unlike those who abandoned when flame was white hot,

then patience will prove trials to be gold.

photographs/ text:  Joshua Zirschky

bib: Rudyard Kipling

Psalmist.

In times of struggle, times of hardship, times of wondering why and trying to press on, one tends to lean, or push in towards a peace that will keep ones foundation pure and calm.  The land (not straight, yet ever rolling) still grounds the tree.  Witnessing these fields, this island, one tends to think on Casper David Friedrich and his light.  The train of monks entering the trees....as of now I photograph and a thirst develops to be those monks. For how exhausting the existence to those who live a life of slander and manipulation. For the Progress of the Pilgrim begins....and the knights are waiting. Oregon Territory, 2015

Traditional Mayan Woman.

A traditional Mayan Woman and her dress. Extremely quiet, she waited on her husband, a protestant preacher who worked and met with the locals in the outskirts of El Quiche, Guatemala. 2015

Cecilia.

Cecilia. Tears run down her face after receiving medical attention and food donations by local church volunteers from Chichicastengo, Guatemala. 2015.  Cecilia has been a widow for forty years. She is one hundred and fives years old.