The Branche Floor Lamp

was born of a walk

in the forest of Fontainebleau,

where a gnarled, patient branch,

stained with the ochres of moss,

lent its silhouette

to oak and bronze.

 

The structure,

taken from an ancient tree,

was first shaped with a hand plane.

Its extremity,

deliberately off-axis,

was set into a mould,

then cast in bronze.

It preserves the irregularities

of its original form.

Its shade unfurls

from the curve of the patinated metal.

 

Alive, enchanting, inspiring,

this piece is a poetic landmark

for those who pause

at the edge of the path.

One might almost hear

the sharp crack of a twig,

and the light breath

of wind through the leaves.