Cut from Above

by Todd Sukany

“let us lay aside every weight . . . ” – Hebrews 12:1

A tiny flick of the spinning chain 
sends the first block of cedar 
crashing onto the grass, 
thumping sawdust and bark.   

The sculptor follows another 
paint line and chunk number two
follows the same path.  One by one 
as the lumps fall, an image appears.   

At first, all sharp edges and roughness. 
Since a thousand years seems like a day, 
the fine tuning begins.  First, the face.  
The mouth wide in adoration.  The eyes 

gazing upward. The ears delicate, 
doubled for use.  Soon the hands 
prepared for battle, then the feet, 
covered with swift, peaceful leather.