Corrosion

 

So here it is – a bit of old chain from the dried-up mud floor of our barn.

Yes, it was indeed a clever idea for someone to think of links – the way iron can be used to transmit power or resist force, flexibly.  So simple in retrospect, and so versatile. 

Unlike archaeological photos, mine hasn’t got a scale to give you an idea of the size. Looking at this one then, the links might be tiny or huge; but whatever their size, they’re basically the same whether they're being used to tether a ship or decorate a neck, to drag a load or to restrain a slave.

It’s interesting to reflect on such simple inventions from so long ago; practical ideas which subsequently enabled enormously important further developments.

That's certainly the case for the chain. But it travels further and deeper.

As a metaphor, the chain has drawn forth chain smokers, chain reactions, house purchasing chains, mountain ranges and strings of islands, sets of shops or hotels, and just about any sequence or train of events you might likr to think of – not to forget the chain of our sins in the Book of Common Prayer...

It's also a measure in its own right, of 66 feet, comprising 100 links – which brings me back to the real thing, in this case rusty and corroded with extra degenerative flakes and various links fused.

Studying this fragment reminded me of the pathological changes of advanced osteoarthritis, which itself inevitably brought thoughts about the effects of time passing, loss of power and the changes that ageing brings.

Another chain.

Even chainge...

 Chain

Every link in its own way

is individual now although 

when they were made they were much the same.

Some grown fat and others thin

 

many narrowed where they join

eroded iron worn through from age

and earlier work. Some adherent

stuck by rust others free

 

to take their turn then bend to twist

away again unable to

transmit the force from link to link.

A scattering of rusty dust

 

ancient scales from these flaky links

shiny once each one ready

in its line to pull a plough

control an animal or draw a cart.

 

I blow away what used to be

the substance of a once-strong chain

now fragmented and as fragile

as a necklace. I lift the ends

 

make a loop and let it fall

to see them in an altered way.

Every link now different

each in their own individual way.