While at the Realm Makers writing conference in Grand Rapids Michigan, I had a long walk from the hotel to the conference. On that walk, I passed this statue of a man made of letters. At first, I didn’t realize he was made of letters. He was just this silver mash-up of metal sitting there for all to see. I pushed it off as one of those “weird” city statues and went about my day.
Upon second look, I noticed a letter in his cheek. Then, one in his arm. His chest. His head. It made me pause with realization that this metal man was more than he seemed to be. He was made of a lot of letters, he had a lot to be said. Instead, he was just sitting there, knees to his chest and arms holding his ankles. His head was straight. He wasn’t looking down. He wasn’t looking up. Perhaps, he was gathering his thoughts? Trying to sort out all the letters inside him to form proper words. Perhaps he was waiting for someone to help him? Someone to reach out and listen or lift him up with a good teaching? Perhaps he was waiting for the right story to come along and inspire.
There’s so much thought that can go into this man made of letters. Every time I went by him, I found him a little more and more relatable. Maybe he’s a writer trying to find that perfect opening sentence? Or, he has all these ideas to turn into a novel and he’s struggling to get them to line up? Maybe he’s wrestling with defining his own emotions? His anxiety or his excitement? Maybe he’s sitting that way because he knows he needs to just be still and listen?
Whatever the reason behind the man. He’s art I grew to appreciate over my time walking to and from my conference. I don’t know who made him. I don’t know why, but like all art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I wanted to share this man made of letters because his thoughtfulness could be interpreted differently by everyone. I hope you can appreciate him to.
nikki diekemper 