Archive > Vol. 8 no. 2

Louis Jenkins

Iron

Iron is purely masculine, containing perhaps too many Y chromosomes. Iron lacks the flexibility and strength of steel, which is tempered by the feminine element. Iron lacks delicacy, but does not lack courage. Iron is hard work and sweat. Iron is passion without finesse. A long time ago a man discovered that he could make an impressive sound by dragging a large piece of iron through a field of stones. Iron is divorce, child-support payments, poorly-planned crime, dishes in the sink, wool socks drying over the coal stove. Out back there’s the hulk of a ’57 Chevy still awaiting restoration. What glowed red hot in youth is cold as a pump handle in middle-age.